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les 



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H i pi mi i'li wi' uiu i ,Hii»niwi i J ii 



^nmmmmmimmmmm 



t u mf 1 . 1 ■mnj HPifP'iw 




WAR OF 1812 SERIES 

By EVERETT T. TOMLINSON 
Illustrated per volume $1.50 



The Search for Andrew Field 
The Boy Soldiers of 1812 

The Boy Officers of 1812 

Tecumseh's Youner Braves 

Guarding the Border 

The Boy'8 with Old Hickory 

Sold separately 

Catalogues of over one thousand volumes sent free 
on application 



lES 



ume $1.50 



Graves 
B Border 

larately 

eni free 



f 






% 







IIu stood up in tliu boat, and" gave all his attuiuion to the lisli." 




is uttuiuion to lliu lisli. 



CAMPING ON THE 
ST. LAWRENCE 



OR 



On the Trail of the Early Discoverers 




EVERETT T. TOMLmSON • 

>> 

Author of "The Boys icith Old Hickory," "Temtnieh'i Young 

Bravet," "Guarding the Border," "The Boys of Old 

Monmouth," " Washington's Young Aids," 

" Ward Hill at Weston," etc., etc. 




ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. 8HUTE 




BOSTON 
LEE AND SHEPAKD PUBLISHERS 

1899 

c 




OCT 4 -1899 " 






4:5251 

OOPTBIOIIT, 1899, BY lilSK AND SlIKPABD. 



AU RighU Renerted. 



Campind on thb Ht. Lawrenoi. 
TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 






J. 8. CiuhlDK * Co. - Berwick li Bmtth 

a A. 



I rj O* ^!L-.K' ^Hotwood M»M. U.I 



-in- 



\ 



ED, 



PREFACE. 

In this story I have endeavored to take 
ray young readers to- one of our noblest 
rivers, and not only to make them share 
in the stirring experiences which are to be 
had on its waters, but also to make them 
feel something of the power of the won- 
derful history of those who first looked 
upon its scenes of beauty. 

The events recorded have largely been 
taken from actual occurrences, the char- 
acters, I trust, will not be found untrue 
to life, and the historical references not 
inaccurate or uninteresting. Young peo- 
ple are able to feel the inspiration of 
nature's power when they are not able to 
define or express it, and perhaps the best 
form of teaching is that which enables 
them to look out wiiji the mner vision 
rather than to observe these things from 

the outside. 

Ui 



■^i 



w 



PREFACE. 



Inspiring as is the majestic river, no 
less inspiring is the story of the men who 
first sailed over its waters. Their heroism, 
persistence, and consecration are qualities 
which are needed by all men, and in all 
places and times. We never outgrow these 
things, though the best parts of our lives 
may grow out of them. 

A better understanding of our own land 

— its natural beauty, its history and heroes 

— is certainly not one of the least of the 
demands of the present time ; and the 
author of this story has hjid the modest 
hope that its readers may gain a desire in 
its perusal to see and know more of those 
possessions which with pardonable pride 
they are able to claim as their own. 

EVERETT T. TOMLINSON. 
Elizabeth, Nbw Jbrsbt. 




"^ 



c river, no 
le men who 
leir heroism, 
ire quaUties 
, and in all 
itgi'ow these 
of our lives 

ir own land 
^ and heroes 
least of the 
! ; and the 
the modest 
1 a desire in 
ore of those 
nable pride 
r own. 

)MLINSON. 



CONTENTS. 



OHAPTBR 
I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 
VII. 
VIII. 
IX. 
X. 
XI. 
XII. 
XIII. 
XIV. 
XV. 
XVI. 
XVII. 
XVIII. 
XIX. 
XX. 
XXI. 
XXII. 



Prepabationb . . ■ . . . . 1 

TiiK Journey 14 

Tub Sail dowk the Uii^kr ... 87 

In Camp *1 

Ben trieh the Canoe .... 68 
The First Day's Sport .... 66 
In Goose Bay . ..... 79 

Jock has his Turn M 

Ancient History ..... 105 
Tom surprises the Camp , . . 118 

A NiOHT of Anxiety .... 131 
The Missing Camper .... 143 

A Mishap • .166 

Ethan tblm op the "Jumpers" . . 169 
In a Foreign Land . . . . .183 
An Alarm in tub Cami- . . . . 196 

On Guard 209 

An Unexpected Race .... 221 

A Moonlight Sail 234 

The Start for the Rapids . . . 247 
Shooting the Longcb Seaut . . . 260 
The Rivals . . . . . .274 




Vi CONTENTS. 

OUAPTKR PAQB 

XXIII. A Prize 286 

XXIV. What became of the Pkize . . . 299 
XXV. Early Discoverers 312 

XXVI. The Squall . . . . . .324 

XXVII. The Search 336 

XXVIII. Ham LICK 349 

XXIX. After the Tragedy . . . . 362 

XXX. Ben's Discovery 376 

XXXI. The Races 388 

XXXII. Conclusion . ' 401 



n 



« n 



*•!**»" 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

" He stood up in the boat and gave all his attention 

totheflsh" Frontispiece 

PAGK 

"Suddenly the canoe went over" . . . ■ 82 

"The fire roared and the flames leaped higher" . 107 
" ' She looked at me a minute as if bhe didn't know 

what to make of it'" ^^^ 

"Bob took a long stick and poked the motionless 

... 213 
form" 

"On and on moved the swift-flying skifl" . • 269 
"'Did you ever catch a bigger one?'" . • '808 
"Without a protest the young mother rose" . . 366 





CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



oVUo 



CHAPTER I. 



PREPABATIONS. 

"Have you heard from Bob? Will he 

C0II16 • 

"Can't tell yet. I had a letter this 
morning, and he writes that it's doubtful. 
He hasn't given up all hope, though, and 
says he may get on the rear platform just 
as the train pulls out." 

" That would be just like him. He never 
started for chapel till all the fellows were 
there, or went into class-room until the reci- 
tation was just ready to begin. He never 
wasted a minute of his time hangmg 

round." , , , • vt " 

"He ne\ r was late, though, m his lite. 

"That's all right. I know that as well 

as you do. I sometimes used to wish he 

would be late, for it made me half provoked 



\'^W 



2 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

to see him. Nothing ever seemed to ptit 
him out, and yet he'd always come in just 
at the last minute, as if he hadn't hurried 
or he somehow knew they wouldn't begin 
until he got there. It was just the same 
with his studies. There I'd be burning my 
midnight oil and putting in my best work, 
and he'd sit down for a few minutes at the 
table and do in half an hour what it had 
taken me three straight hours to work out. 
I never saw such a fellow." 

" Yes, Bob was a great fellow." 
. " You don't have to remind me of that. 
Haven't we roomed together all through 
senior year? I used to think before he 
took up his bed and came over to room with 
me, that if I could only have him with me, 
somehow I'd catch the way he did his work, 
but it wasn't contagious." 

" He's got, without asking for it, what my 
father says is the one thing he sent me to 
the academy for, and what he's going to 
send me to college to get, though I'm afraid 
he'll be disappointed." 

"What's that?" 

" Oh, it's what my father calls the power 
of concentrating your mind." 

" Well, Bob had it for a fact. It didn't 



-T"'" 
1^^- 



ENCE. 

led to ptit 
Tie in just 
I't hurried 
in't begin 
the same 
Lirning my 
best work, 
ites at the 
lat it had 
work out. 



e of that. 
1 through 
before he 
room with 
I with me, 
his work, 

, what my 

snt me to 

going to 

['m afraid 



the power 
It didn't 



PREPARATIONS. »> 

seem to make much difference to him 
whether there was a room full of fellows 
about him, or not. When he got. ready to 
work, he just sat down to it, and you might 
yell in his ears or pull his chair out from 
under him, and it wouldn't make a bit of 
difference. He'd sit there on thin air and 
dig away until his work was all done and 
then look up as if he was as surprised as 
you please to see any one in the room. Do 
you know, I just envied Bob. I did for a 
fact. I'd give all my father's money to 
stand in his shoes." 

" Perhaps your father would have some- 
thing to say about that. But Bob was a 
great fellow ; no mistake about that. Do 
you think he'll have to give up gomg to 
college with u. ?" ^ 

« I don't know ; I hope not. His mother s 
a widow, you know, and since his father 
died, I think they've had a hard time of it. 
If it was any other fellow I'd say right off 
he couldn't go. But Bob's different, you 
see. He didn't have any money and couldn't 
do lots of the things the others did, but he 
was the most popular fellow in all the 
school, for all that. So I somehow don't 
give up hope that he'll go with us in the 




^ -Titsaf' 






4 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WRENCH. 

fall, after all. Everything seems to turn 
his way." 

"Don't you believe it. It's the other 
way around, I'm telling you. He just turns 
everything his way." 

"Well, I don't care how you put it if 
he 11 only join us in the camp. I say, Jock, 
how did you happen to hit on this plan ? 
It s great, that's what it is." 

" Oh, I didn't hit on it at all, it was my 
father. You see, he spent the first vacation 
he s had m ten years last summer down at 
the Thousand Islands. We all had such a 
good time that we wanted to go again this 
summer; but He couldn't get away, and my 
mother wouldn't go without him, so they 
finally compromised on me. At first they 
thought they'd send me down to Alexandria 
Bay and Round Island to one of the hotels 
and for fear that Fd get lonesome they 
were going to select some fine man who was 
well up m Latin and Greek to go along with 
me, just for company, you see." 

«T^1^^^' ^ ^^^'" ^^^S^^^ ^is companion. 
Ihey were going to get a tutor for you, 
were they ? " 

Yes, that's what some people call it, I 
believe. But when I astonished the family 



L 



m 



I WRENCE. 

leems to turn 

-t's the other 
He just turns 

you put it if 

I say, Jock, 

•n this plan? 

I'll, it was my 
first vacation 
imer down at 

II had such a 
:o again this 
way, and my 
lira, so they 
A.t first they 
3 Alexandria 
f the hotels, 
esome they 
lan who was 
3 along with 

companion. 
;or for you, 

>le call it, I 
1 the family 



PBEPARATIOlfS. 6 

by passing my entrance exams., thuy didn't 
know what to do, so at my own suggestion 
my father hired a camp on Pine Tree Island, 
and the result is that you and the other 
fellows are to benefit by my brilliant la- 
bors. You ought to be grateful; but this is 
a cold, cold world, and I'm not building ray 
hopes too high. The trouble is, I knoio you." 

« Oh, we'll do the dutiful act and put in 
all the flourishes," said his friend, with a 
laugh. "But fjay, Jock, is it really true 
about the fishing and canoeing and all that 
sort of thing that they tell about there ? " 

" True ? well, I should say it was ! You 
won't need but one look at the river to 
raake you think you've found the best spot 
on earth. Fishing, fishing? why, let me 

tell you." 

" No, no ! please don't. I can't bear too 
much, you must remember." 

" Fishing ? " resumed Jock, unmindful of 
his friend's banter, " why, one morning last 
summer I got up before breakfast — " 

" Impossible ! ' ' interrupted his friend. " I 
can stand your fish stories ; but that — that 
is too much for me." 

" One morning I got up early, as I was 
telling you," resumed Jock. 





SBS99B" 




6 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"I believe you did make some remarks 
upon that subject." 

''Keep still! Well, I got up before 

light — " 

"What, what?" 

" And went out with my boatman. We 
caught thirty of the biggest bass you ever 

saw — " 

" Ever saw or ever expect to see," broke 

in his friend. 

" And we were just going ashore to cook 

our dinner — " 

" But when and where did you have break- 
fast? You've got ahead of your story. Tell 
me about the breakfast. I haven't recov- 
ered from the shock of thinking of you as 
being up before that was ready." 

" And just before we landed, I was be- 
ginning to reel in my line. I had out about a 
hundred and fifty feet, when all at once — " 
"What, what? Oh, don't keep me in 
this suspense, I can't bear it," again inter- 
rupted his irreverent friend, striking an 
attitude of eager attention as he spoke. 

" I had a strike that almost yanked my 
rod out of my hand." 

" Ah, yes, I see, your hook had caught on 

the bottom." 



SNCE. 

e remarks 
up before 

man. We 
is you ever 

see," broke 

ore to cook 

have break- 
story. Tell 
rent recov- 
g of you as 

, I was be- 
l out about a 
at once — " 
keep me in 
again inter- 
striking an 
3 spoke. 
, yanked my 

bd caught on 



PHEPAUATIONS. • 

Jock flung a book at the head of his 
friend and then laughingly said : " Well, 
you just wait till we get into camp, that's 
all I can say. If you don't tell bigger 
stories then than I can now, it^ will be 
because language has failed you." 

" I usually fail in language ; my marks 
are. apt to be below par. But I must be 
going now, Jock. You say the train leaves 
the Grand Central at nine to-night?" 

« Yes. You'd better get your ticket and 
check your trunk early. There's likely to 
be a crowd at this time of the year." 
" I'll be there. Got your ticket, Jock? " 
" Me ? Yes. I've got a pass for Bob and 
myself, or rather my father got one for us." 
" That's the way in this world," said his 
friend, with mock solemnity. " Here you 
are the son of a railroad magnate and just 
rolling in lucre, and you don't have to buy 
a ticket like common mortals. No, you have 
a pass and all the conductors and porters 
stand off and look at you as if you were 
the King of Croesus or some other thing, 
and we poor little sons of lawyers have 
to march up to the ticket-office and plank 
down good, hard-earned straight cash for 
our little pieces of pasteboards." 



8 



CAMJ'iya ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 



"You are to be pitied," replied Jock. 
" I heard my father say the other day the 
reason the railroads couldn't make any 
money was because the lawyers got in first, 
and the roads had to take what little they 
left." 

" Did he say that ? " 

" Yes, for a fact." 

" This moment I return to my ancestral 
domicile and demand of my stern parent 
the portion which falleth to me. He has 
kept his possession of such vast wealth con- 
cealed from his family. I go to make him 
disgorge." 

" Don't forget the train leaves at nine," 
warned Jock. "I've got the sleeping-car 
tickets, or at least I've got a section and a 
berth. That'll be enough if Bob shouldn't 
come, and if he does, why, two of us will 
have to double up, that's all." 

Jock watched his friend as he ran down 
the stairway, and then turned back into his 
own room and continued his preparations 
for the proposed journey. Fishing tackle 
was rearranged, a gun was placed carefully 
in its case, and many details looked after 
which only a light-hearted lad, eager for a 
new experience, knew how to provide. 



NVE. 

ed Jock, 
r day the 
lake any 
t in first, 
ittle they 



ancestral 
1 parent 
He has 
alth con- 
ake him 

%i nine," 
sping-car 
n and a 
houldn't 
us will 

m down 
into his 
arations 
t, tackle 
arefully 
3d after 
er for a 
ie. 



PREPARATIONS. » 

And certainly Josiah Cope apparently 
had everything to add to his happiness. 
His home was one of wealth, and all that 
father or mother could do had been done 
for him. He was an eager-hearted lad, as 
full of good impulses as one could well be, 
and as he moved busily about in liis room 
it was not difficult to understand why he 
was such a universal favorite among his 
mates. His face had that expression of 
frankness and good-will which somehow 
draws to itself all who behold it, whether 
they will or no; and the devotion with 
which his mother watched over him was, 
m a measure, shared by his schoolboy 
friends, for there was something about him 
which appealed to their desire to protect 
and shield him from ruder blasts which 
others might endure more readily. 

Not that Jock (for so his friends had 
shortened the somewhat homely name which 
the lad was the fifth in direct descent to 
bear) was in the least effeminate, but his 
slight figure, his dark eyes and somewhat 
delicate features, left one with the impres- 
sion that he was not over-rugged. Whatr 
ever others might think, his mother was 
most decidedly of that opinion, and per- 



mmttm 



¥ 



'V 



III- 



10 CAMPINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

haps not without reason ; for she had soen 
his brotiiers and sistenn enter the home 
only to remain for a few brief years and 
then go out forever, and Jock, slie fre- 
quently declared, was her all. If she 
meant all she had left, she was correct, and 
certainly the love he received in his home 
might easily have been shared with many, 
and then no one would have complained of 
receiving too small a portion. 

But Jock had somehow survived the 
perilous treatment and apparently was as 
popular among his mates as he was in his 
home. And unknown to him it was the 
loving fears of his mother that had led to 
the experiment of a summer camp among 
the Thousand Islands in the hope that the 
breath of the great river and the outdoor 
life would bring a little more color into the 
cheeks that were too pale for a well-grown 
lad of seventeen to have. 

The decision once made, the next move 
was to select his companions. This was 
not a difficult problem, and soon the choicest 
three of his friends in the academy from 
which Jock had just graduated, and "with 
whom he hoped to go up to college m the 
coming autumn, were invited to join him^ — 



K. 

J seen 
home 
rs nnd 
le fre- 
[f she 
ct, and 
home 
many, 
ined of 

id the 
wskH as 

in his 
as the 

led to 
among 
lat the 
lutdoor 
ito the 
-grown 

i move 
is was 
hoicest 
y from 
d 'with 
in the 
aim; — 



pbeparations. 



11 



an invitatif)n qviickly and eagerly accepted 
by all save Robert Darnell, tlic "Bob" of 
the preceding conversation, and the reasons 
which led him to hesitato have already 
been referred to. 

Still all hoped that the sturdy Bob, the 
quiet self-contained lad, the leader of his 
class in scholarship, and easily the best bat 
in school, could come from his home in the 
country and join them. 

Albert, or " Bert," Bliss, who had been 
having the conversation we have already 
reported, was a short sturdy lad, always 
ready for a good time, his curly hair and 
laughing blue eyes causing one to laugh 
whenever he saw him, so irresistible was 
the contagion of his overflowing spirits. 

The fourth member of the proposed party, 
Benjamin, or " Ben," Dallett, was in many 
ways the opposite of Albert, and in school 
parlance they had sometimes been known 
as the " Siamese twins," or " The Long and 
the Short of it." Certainly they were 
much together, and just as certainly was 
Ben as much too tall as his friend was too 
short. 

All of the boys save Bob had their abode 
in New York and had come from homes of 




12 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



f 



x. 



wealth, but in their presence Bob almost 
never thought of his own deprivations, or 
only when it was impossible for him to 
engage in some of the enterprises of his 
friends, and certain it is that the envy to 
which Ben had given expression, if there 
was such a feeling manifest among the four 
friends, was much more of the sterling 
worth and quiet powers of Bob than of the 
possessions of the others. At all events, 
they had become fast friends, and, bound 
together by such ties as can only be found 
in school and college, would be certain to 
have a good time if once they should be 
together in the camp on the selected island 
m the St. Lawrence River. 

The evening had come, and the three 
boys had eagerly been watching in the 
great station for the arrival of their friend. 
As yet he had not appeared, and when 
the gong sounded its warning, reluctantly 
they grasped their various belongings and, 
holding their tickets in their teeth, 
passed through the gate and boarded their 
train. 

"It isn't time yet," said Bert. «He 
won't come till the train begins to 
move." 




PREPARATIONS. 



almost 
ions, or 
him to 
of his 
nvy to 
: there 
le four 
terling 
of the 
events, 
bound 
found 
ain to 
aid be 
island 



" I'm afraid he isn't coming at all," re- 
plied Jock, as he arranged his various par- 
cels in the section, all the time keeping a 
careful lookout for the appearance of the 
missing Bob in the doorway of the car. 




18 



-■I 




p 



CHAPTER II 

THE JOURNEY. 

The train was now increasing its speed 
and swept swiftly past the city blocks, and 
then with a groan darted into the long tun- 
nel. The rumble became a roar, and as the 
boys were convinced that the missing Bob 
had been left behind, they glanced about 
the car at their travelling companions. 

Apparently every berth had been taken 
and it was evident from the fishing rods 
that could be seen that many besides them- 
selves had started for the great river. 
There were young people and old, and lit- 
tle children who already were rubbing their 
sleepy eyes, unable to remain awake longer 
m spite of the noise of the fast-flying cars 
and the roar of the train in the tunnel. 

Soon the sounds changed, and all knew 
that they had passed through the under- 
ground way, and the scattered lights of the 
streets could be seen again. As the boys 




THE JOURNEY. 



16. 



turned once more to glance behind them, 
Jock emitted a shout ; for there, standing 
quietly in the aisle, was the missing member 
of the band. Bob Darnell himself. 

"Where did you come from. Bob?" 
shouted Jock, delightedly, as he grasped his 
friend's hand. " We thought we'd lost you." 
" It's mighty easy to get lost in this town 
of yours. Who would want to live in such 
a place ? " replied Bob, quietly. 

"But where were you? How did you 
get aboard? We waited and waited for 
you, but you didn't come. Tell us about 
it," exclaimed the eager boys, as they made 
room for their friend to take the vacant 

seat. 

"You might have known I'd be here. 
You needn't have wasted your precious 
thoughts on me." 

" I know it. Bob, but I don't see how you 
got here," said Jock. 

" You city chaps don't understand, and 
you never will," replied Bob. " You always 
rush around as if you hadn't a minute to 
spare. What's the go )d of it, I'd like to 

know ? " 

" Not much g;ood, if we could only be as 
sure of being on time as you are. Bob," said 




16 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Bert. '* Why don't you tell us how you did 
it?" 

" There isn't anything to tell. My train 
got in about an hour ago, and I went up on 
Madison Avenue to Jock's house. They told 
me he'd gone to the station with you fellows 
and they all seemed to be very much ex- 
cited about it, too. All they could say to me 
was: ' Hurry up. Make haste, or you'll be 
left.' Queer folks, these New Yorkers." 

" Well, you did almost get left, didn't 
you ? " 

"Left? Not a bit of it. It's true they 
had closed the door, and the gateman didn't 
want to let me pass, especially when I 
didn't have any ticket. But after a little 
argument he relented, and I went down to 
the platform. There I had a tussle with 
the porter, for he was just getting aboard the 
tram, and had taken in his steps. He, too 
wanted to see my ticket, but I didn't have 
time to stop and talk much with him, so I 
just climbed in after him. I found I was 
on the last car, so I had to travel all through 
the train to find you. You ought not to 
have made me do that, fellows; it's too 
much of an exertion," he added regretfully. 
The boys all laughed, and their evident 






THE JOURNEY. 



17 



unconsciousness of the presence of the others 
in the car, and theu* light-hearted and merry 
voices, soon drew the attention of their trav- 
elling companions. Old men glanced at 
them with a softened expression on their 
countenances, as if the sight of young life 
and care-free lads reminded them of days in 
their own lives now far away and dim in the 
years that were gone. Old ladies watched 
them and smiled, without understanding 
what it was that made their eyes light up as 
they listened to the contagious laughter of 
the happy-hearted boys. Little children 
came tottering and staggering down the 
swaying aisle, and stopped before them, peer- 
ing wonderingly at the band as if they knew 
they must be having a good time, and would 
like to join in it themselves. Jock passed 
pieces of candy to the little ones, and the en- 
joyment of the boys became keener as they 
watched the children thrust the sweetmeats 
into their mouths, and then go staggering 
back to their mothers, and, climbing into 
their laps, point gleefully to the group which 
had treated them so well. 

Indeed, the very presence of the boys 
seemed to create a different atmosphere in 
the car, and in whatever direction they 



l\slir»ll«iril»: 



18 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



looked, they were sure to be met with smU- 
ing glances. Certainly, thoughts of possi- 
ble evil days to come did not disturb them ; 
the burdens of life were all for others, and as 
far as our four friends were concerned, life 
itself was colored with a halo of the bright- 
ness which not only was theirs by right, but 
was increased by the anticipation of days 
that were soon to come in the camp on Pine 
Tree Island, 

" I haven't bothered my head much about 
the details of this thing," said Bob, " but 
I'd like to know how much work we've got 
to do to-morrow." 

" No work at all, Bob," said Jock, laugh- 
ing. " I wouldn't dare lay such a contract 
as that on your delicate shoulders." 

" That's kind of you," replied Bob, shrug- 
gmg those same shoulders, which certainly 
to the ordinary observer gave no symp- 
toms of delicacy. "But I was thinking 
about the camp, you know. Some tent 
or some thing or other has to be set up, 
I suppose. -Who's to do that, I'd like to 
know?" 

" That's all been done," said Jock, laugh- 
ingly. «My father wrote Ethan Barnes 
last week— he's to be our guide, you know, 




SfiSfci^V.:---! 



THE JOURNEY, 



19 



CE. 

th smil- 
f possi- 
' them ; 
, and as 
ed, life 
bright- 
ht, but 
f days 
•n Pine 

I about 

"but 

ve got 

laugh- 
ntract 

ihrug- 
bainly 
jymp- 
iking 
tent 
t up, 
ce to 




or rather one of them, for his son is to be 
there too. Everything has been sent on 
ahead and probably by this time Ethan's 
got everything all ready for us. You see, 
my father used to live in that part of the 
world when he was a boy, and he and 
Ethan were old school friends. They used 
to sit together on the same bench, I believe. 
Father says the old red schoolhouse is still 
standing, and he'd like to have me go over 
fhere some day. He says I'd find his ini- 
tials cut in the seat with the first jack-knife 
he ever owned. There's one thing you'll 
have to do though, Bob." 
"What's that?" 

"You'll have to reel in your own fish 
when you get a strike." 

« Strike ? What's a strike ? Do I have 
to do the striking ? " 

"No, no. When a bass swallows your 
hook they call it a ' strike.' " 

" Who calls it a strike, the bass ? " 
" No, everybody calls it that." 
"Well, all I can say, I don't blame a 
bass for striking then. I'd strike, too, if I 
was in his place." 

"You? not much, you'd never strike. 
You'd just wait till somebody came along 




20 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WHENCE. 

and took the hook out of your mouth," 
was lien s meriy comment. 

"How do you do the fishing?" inquired 
J50b, apparently unmoved. 

Skiffy^^;,""' f T^ ^" ^°^^«' y°" know. 
Skiffs. Those St. Lawrence skiffs are beau- 
ties too, let me tell you," said Jock 

RnK «p'''^ ^° *^' '^^' g«-" persisted 
Bob. "By steam?" 

"No no. We'll have boatmen. Ethan 
will pul one and his son the other, and two 
of us will go in each. It's great sport." 

It must be. You don't know what a 
oad you ve lifted from me. I almost gave 
up when I thought I'd have to work It 
doesn t agree with me. Never did. My 
mother has noticed it ever since I was 
born^ But she's the only one who under- 
stands me. Hello, here's the mogul ! " 

thP t ^7V'^^'^ "P ^' ^' «P«ke, and saw 
the conductor and the porter near them. 
As their tickets were taken and the berths 
assigned. Bob said: — 

"Jock, you say you'll take the berth in 
the next section There won't be any room 
eft for you, I'm thinking. That's all 
spoken for now." 

For the first time Jock noticed who was 



MMP 



NCE. 

mouth," 

inquired 

u know, 
ire beau- 

» 

sersisted 

Ethan 
ind two 
)rt." 
what a 
•st gave 
rk. It 
1 My 
I was 
under- 



ad saw 
them, 
berths 



TEE JOURNEY. 



21 




seated in the adjoining section. A woman 
was there, but never in all his life had he 
seen one so stout. It almost seemed as if 
she completely filled the seat, and it was 
evident from her manner that she was far 
from feeling at her ease. She glanced 
nervously about the car, and not for a mo- 
ment relaxed her grasp on tlie seat. Her 
eyes, too, betrayed her alarm, and it was 
plain that the experience she was then 
undergoing was a new and not altogether 
pleasurable one. 

As the boys glanced at her, her fear 
seemed to increase. She rose from the seat, 
but a sudden lurch of the car sent her back 
again with an exclamation of anger which 
could be heard by all. 

"Here, you!" she called. "I say, mis- 
ter, come here i " • u 
It was the colored porter to whom she 
was speaking, and as he turned back re- 
spectfully to listen to what she had to say, 
his face beamed with good nature and 

amusement. 

" What is it, madam?" he said kindly. 

«I thought they told me this was a 
sleepin' car." 

"So it is." 



22 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



" It is, is it ? Well, where do folks sleep, 
I'd like to know ?" 
" Why, in the beds." 
" I don't see no beds," she replied angrily, 
as she looked about the car. 

"Why, madam, these seats are the beds." 
'' The seats are the beds ? Humph, pretty 
beds they are! Do you expect me to lie 
down on 'em?" 

" They are changed and made up. I'm 
the porter and I'll make up your berth 
whenever you want it.' 

"You're the portor, be ye? Well, I 
thought you was one o' the Vanderbilts, 
with all yer gold buttons and fine clothes. 
Well, ye jest make up mine now." 

" I'll be back in a minute and fix you up 
all right, madam. You're going to Phila- 
delphia, are I't you ? " 

" Yes, I am. Im goin' to Philadelphy, an' 
the sooner I get there the better." 

As the porter turned away to complete 
his collection of tickets, Jock turned to his 
companions and said: "That woman has 
made a mistake. She says she's going to 
Philadelphia, and she's got on the wrong 
train, as sure's you live. I'm going to tell 
her." 



iinBHfliaMB 



rcE. 

ks sleep, 

angrily, 

e beds." 
, pretty 
e to lie 

p. I'm 
p berth 

^ell, I 
lerbilts, 
:;lothes. 



you up 
Phiia- 



THX JOUR NET. 



88 



mplete 
to his 
II has 
ing to 
wrong 
to tell 



Leaving his seat, Jock approached the 
troubled passenger and said, " Did I un- 
derstand you to say you were going to 
Philadelphia?" 

Hey ? Yes, I'm goin' to Philadelphy, 
but I don't see how that concerns you. 
Bub," and as she spoke she hurriedly felt 
in her pocket as if she expected the stranger 
who had dared to address her was one of 
the light-fingered gentry who she had been 
informed infested the city and were wont 
to take advantage of innocent and unsus- 
pecting strangers. 

Jock's face flushed as he heard himself 
addressed as " Bub," and his confusion was 
increased as he saw an expression of amuse- 
ment creep over the faces of his companions; 
but he was too polite to heed now, and was 
determined to assist the old lady in what 
was her evident confusion and mistake. 

" All I wanted to say, madam," he con- 
tinued, again speaking to the troubled 
woman, " was that I fear you have made a 
mistake. If you wanted to go to Philadel- 
phia you ought to have gone on the Penn- 
sylvania road, not on the New York Central ; 
this train doesn't go to Philadelphia." 

" Hey ? What's that ye say ? " exclaimed 




CAMPIXG Oy THE 8T. LA^VHKNCE. 



the startled woman. "Got the wrong keers, 
have T ? Hero you, Mr. Porter," she shouted, 
standing with difficulty and .shaking a huge 
cotton uinbrelhi at that officer. "Come 
here, come here ! " she called in increasing 
excitement. 

As the porter hastened toward her, the 
eyes of all in the car were turned upon her. 
Some of the passengers were evidently 
amused, and some were sympathizing with 
her in her trouble. 

" What is it, madam, what is it ? " in- 
quired the colored man, politely. 

"This boy says this isn't the train for 
Philadelphy," she exclaimed wrathfully. 
" What d'ye put me on this keer for, I'd 
like to know ? ' ' She was grasping her pocket 
with one hand and waving her cotton um- 
brella frantically in her excitement with the 
other. " Ye jest meant to rob me ! " she 
continued. " I know ye. Ye knew I had six 
dollars and seventeen cents in my pocket. 
Ye shan't get it, that's what ye shan't ! " 

"But, madam, this train does go to 
Philadelphia." 

"Hey? it does, does it ? What d'ye mean, 
then ?" she demanded, turning again upon 
Jock. " Then it was you that wanted to 



THE JOURNEY. ■* 

rob me ! I'll turn you over to the police, I 

vuiu I will ! " . 

It was some time before it was explamed 
that there was a little junction not far from 
the St. Lawrence which rejoiced in the same 
name as its larger sister in the adjacent 
state ; but at last all was made plain, and 
covered with confusion Jock took his seat 
once more, hardly daring to look around 
upon his fellow-travellers, who evidently 
had been hugely enjoying the scene. 

But the troubles were not yet ended. As 
the porter volunteered to make ready the 
old lady's berth at once, the boys vacated 
their seats for their neighbor, who watohed 
with evident consternation the prepar ttions 

for the night. 

The berths were speedily prepared, and 
then the porter said, " I'll take your tickets, 
madam, and you can retire when you please." 
As he took the slip the porter glanced once 
more at her in amusement as he said: 
"Yours is the upper berth, madam. Wait 
a moment and I'll get the steps for you." 

" What ! " exclaimed the excited woman. 
"Up there in that garret? Me? well, I 
guess not. Jerushy Jenkins don't climb up 
into any sech hole as that ! Not much ; I'll 



'J 



26 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



ride on yer old cow-catcher afore I'll do 
that." 

" You may have the lower berth, madam," 
said Jock, quickly. " I'll be glad to give it 
up to you." 

" Ye will, will ye ? " said Jerusha, sus- 
piciously. "Well, I don't know whether 
ye will or not. Do ye think it's safe, per- 
fectly safe ? " she inquired of the porter. 

" Yes, madam." 

At last the trembling traveller was molli- 
fied, and soon afterward all in the car were 
asleep. With the coming of the dawn our 
boys hastily dressed and soon were gazing 
out of the windows at the silver-like strips 
which here and there could be seen in the 
distance, and in a moment knew that they 
were drawing near to the waters of the ma- 
jestic river, which already were reflecting 
the light of the coming day. . 



■mmmi 



NCB. 

i I'll do 

madam," 
to give it 

sha, sus- 
whether 
safe, per- 
orter. 

as molli- 
car were 
awn our 
e gazing 
ce strips 
n in the 
tiat they 
the ma- 
eflecting 




CHAPTER III. 

THE SAIL DOWN THE RIVER. 

The first impression of the boys was that 
they were passing through a country hoary 
with age. The scattered homes of the 
farmers, which occasionally could be seen, 
were evidently all of recent date, though 
many of them were weather-beaten and had 
never known the touch of a paint-brush. 
But the country itself in the gray of the 
dawn seemed to be wrinkled and old. It 
was a level land and without any marked 
features, save that of its venerable appear- 
ance ; but all this was instantly forgotten 
when suddenly the full sweep of the mighty 
St. Lawrence burst into view. 

Far as the eye could see the great mass 
of water stretched away, and of what a 
beautiful color it was! Its strong, swift 
current could be discerned even from the 
cars, and in the distance were the islands. 
Beautiful cottages and well-kept lawns were 

27 



• . ^- ■ tf*fW« W»»?J'a' " 



28 CAMPING ON TUB ST. LAWRENCE. 

before them, and from the flag-poles flut- 
tered the stars and stripes, winding in and 
out as the morning breeze shook out the folds 
of the bunting. Far to the east could be 
seen the shores of the larger islands, many 
of them covered with trees, and already 
changing color in the light of the rapidly 
approaching dawn. All together, the sight 
was one of imposing beauty and grandeur ; 
but all other things were speedily forgotten, 
for the great river, as it went surging in its 
way, seemed to fascinate the eyes of tie 
eager boys. 

Too much impressed by the sight to give 
voice to their sentiments, for a few minutes 
the lads gazed at the changing scene be- 
fore them ; but they were speedily recalled 
to their immediate surroundings by the 
movements of the people in the car, who 
were all astir by this time. 

" Here we are ! " called Jock, gleefully, as 
the rumbling train came to a standstill, and 
the passengers all prepared to leave the car. 

In a moment the boys joined the proces- 
sion, and as they stepped upon the dock they 
saw that steamers, large and small, were 
there, and innumerable smaller boats of all 
kinds and descriptions. What impressed 



■■(*■»" ' i^ l 'IfWI'lW^^'' " I'wi 



mcE. 



THE SAIL DOWN THE RIVER. 



29 



poles flut- 
ig in and 
t the folds 
could be 
ids, many 
1 already 
le rapidly 
the sight 
grandeur ; 
Forgotten, 
;ing in its 
}s of tie 

it to give 
V minutes 
scene be- 
r recalled 
i by the 
car, who 

efuUy, as 
istill, and 
e the car. 
e proces- 
lock they 
all, were 
its of all 
npressed 



our boys more than the steamers and yachts, 
however, was the sight of the beautiful St. 
Lawrence skiffs, numbers of which were 
near the dock. Graceful and light as a 
birch-bark canoe, and with cushioned seats 
and even equipped with chairs, it seemed to 
them that never before had they beheld such 
beautiful little crafts. What speed could be 
made in them, and once in the current of the 
great river, how they would go ! 

The dock was filled, in spite of the early 
hour, with a multitude of people, some of 
whom were selecting their baggage and giv- 
ing orders for its transfer to the waiting 
steamers. Others were calling to the 
porters, and still others were themselves 
rushing back and forth between the train 
and the boats, looking after their own be- 
longings and seeing that they were properly 
placed. It was a stirring sight, and the fact 
that almost every man, to say nothmg of 
the boys, was equipped with t e case which 
plainly enclosed a fishing rod, showed that 
others besides themselves had hopes of sport 
on the great river. 

Jock, who was the leader of the party, was 
looking eagerly about in the crowd for some 
one who should correspond to the descrip- 




■ ' 


' 




.■' 1 


1 


' ) 



80 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

tion his father had given him of Ethan, the 
man who was to be their guide and cook ; 
but for a time he was unable to find any one 
whom he dared to address as the one he was 
seeking. 

Soon, however, a man clad in the country 
garb, with a flannel shirt open at the neck, 
and a huge straw hat on his head, came near 
and peered inquiringly at the boys. Satis- 
fied with his inspection, he approached and 
said in a deliberate manner, — 

" Mebbe you're Jock Cope's boy ? " 

"Yes, yes," responded Jock, quickly. 
"He's my father, and you are Ethan, if 
I'm not mistaken." 

" That's what folks call me. These the 
boys goin' into camp with ye?" he inquired 
with a drawl, turning to the other boys as 
he spoke. 

" Yes, these are my friends," and Jock 
proceeded to introduce each to Ethan. 

"Glad to see ye," responded Ethan, 
apparently not very much impressed by 
the sight of the band. "Grot ycr trunks 
checked ? " 

" Yes, they were checked through to Al- 
exandria Bay. We don't have to do any- 
thing here, do we ? " 



■ilMMIIiPil 



NCE. 

than, the 
ad cook ; 
1 any one 
16 he was 

e country 
bhe neck, 
ame near 
3. Satis- 
ched and 

?" 

quickly. 
Ethan, if 

?hese the 
I inquired 
r boys as 

»nd Jock 
ithan. 
I Ethan, 
essed by 
yr trunks 

jh to Al- 
) do any- 



TBE SAIL DOWN THE RIVER. 



31 



" Naw, unless ye want to go down to the 
Bay on the steamer. I've got my boat here, 
an' if ye want to ye can sail down with me. 
Ye'll have speak up, sonny, though, for if 
ye want to take the steamer ye'll have to 
say so mighty quick." 

« We haven't had breakfast," said Jock, 
« and if the other fellows feel as I do, we'll 
want something to eat." 

« Ye can get breakfast aboard the boat if 
ye want to an' can afford to pay for it, or 
ye can go up to one o' the hotels an' get it, 
an' I'll wait here for ye. 'Tisn't for me to 

say. 

« Oh, let's wait and get our breakfast at 
one of the hotels, and sail down the river 
in Ethan's boat," said Bert, eagerly ; and as 
it was apparent that all the boys shared in 
his desire, it was quickly decided to leave 
their rods and the personal effects they had 
brought with them in his care. 

Ethan received the rods with a grunt, 
which was not expressive of high admira- 
tion for their outfit, and the boys at once 
started up the street to secure their break- 
fast. They were too much excited to give 
much attention to the straggling little vil- 
lage of Clayton, for their appetites were 



32 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



I w 



imperative and must be satisfied, and soon 
they entered one of the hotels and secured 
places in the dining room. 

" I tell you what," exclaimed Bert, " this 
is great ! I never saw such a sight as this 
river. We'll have a great time here. Even 
Bob is excited." 

" Hungry, you mean," replied that indi- 
vidual. " You fellows have been all stirred 
up by the scenery, but I'm thinking of the 
inner man." 

" I'm not," said Ben. " Do you know, 
Jock, I'm afraid of that Ethan of yours." 

"Afraid of him? What do you mean?" 

"Why, he acts as if he was a king or 
some other potentate. You don't really sup- 
pose he actually owns one of these islands, 
do you ? " 

" I don't know," replied Jock. " I'll ask 
him, if you want me to." 

" Well, the way that same Ethan looks at 
us, and sniffs at our rods, and treats us as if 
we were boys, just scares me ; it does, for a 
fact. I don't know the difference between 
a reel and a rod, and somehow I know I 
shan't even dare to put a worm on my hbok 
if he's looking at me." 

" Put a worm on your hook ! " exclaimed 



mmmm 



M«i-< 



NCE. 

and soon 
i secured 

3rt, " this 
it as this 
re. Even 

;hat indi- 
ill stirred 
ng of the 

5U know, 
ours." 
lean?" 
k king or 
eally sup- 
e islands, 

" I'll ask 

1 looks at 
bs us as if 
oes, for a 
I between 
'. know I 
my hbok 

ixclaimed 



TBE 8 AIL DOWN THE RIVER. 



33 

You 



Jock, laughingly. " You are green, 
don't use worms here." 

"Don't use worms? What do you have 
for bait, then, I'd like to know?" 

" Minnows, little fish." 

" I should think it would hurt 'em if you 
put 'em on the hook," drawled Bob; "I'm 
too tender-hearted for that." 

"You won't have to hurt your tender 
feelings, Bob," laughed Jock. " Ethan does 
all that for you. That's the advantage of 
having a boatman, you see." 

"Ah, yes, I. see," replied Bob, with a sigh 

of relief. 

But the breakfast was now brought in, 
and in a moment all other things were for- 
gotten as the boys fell to with a will, and 
ate as only hungry boys in the early morn- 
ing air of the St. Lawrence can eat. 

When this task was at last completed, 
they started eagerly toward the dock, and 
as they approached they discovered Ethan 
watching for them . He had already hoisted 
his sail and all things were ready for the 
departure. 

As the boys leaped on board, they noticed 
the beautiful little craft of which Ethan was 
the proud owner ; but as he was evidently 




1 y 

1 1 '■■] 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



eager to set sail at once, no remarks were 
made until after the boat was free from the 
dock. Then the strong breeze and the swift 
current combined to send them swiftly on 
their way down the river, and in the exhila- 
ration of the scene the boys for a moment 
gave free play to their feelings. 

" You don't often have a day like this, 
do you, Ethan ? " said Jock. 

" Hey ? oh, we have 'em 'most as often as 
they come." 

" I know that, but they don't often come, 
do they ? " 

Ethan looked at his questioner for a mo- 
ment before he said, "You don't know 
much, 1 see. Lived in the city all yer life, 
haven't ye ? " 

" Yes," replied Jock, feeling for the mo- 
ment as if he were guilty of something, 
though of what he could not just deter- 
mine ; but the boatman's contempt was so 
evident that the lad resolved to ask no more 
questions. 

" Then you're Jock Cope's boy, be ye ? " 
said Ethan, after a pause. 

" Yes. I've often heard him speak of 
you, and tell how you two used to sit to- 
gether in the same seat over in the little 






mm 



NCE. 

irks were 
from the 
the swift 
wiftly on 
le exhila- 
, moment 

like this, 

s often as 

ten come, 

for a mo- 
a't know 
1 yer life, 

r the mo- 
smething, 
ist deter- 
pt was so 
t no more 

,beye?" 

speak of 
to sit to- 
the little 



THE SAIL DOyVN THE RIVER. 



35 



*i 



red schoolhouse. Father says it's still stand- 
ing, and he wants me to go over and see it 
some day while we're here." 

" Wants ye to see it ? What fur ? " 
" Oh, just to see it, that's all. He wants 
me to see the place where he went to school 
when he was a boy." 

" Humph ! it isn't much to see. Jest a 
little shanty, that's all. Say, they tell me 
your pa is worth a lot o' money. Is that 



so 



" I don't know," said Jock. " He's got 
some, I suppose. Enough to pay for our 
expenses here this summer, Uthink." 

" But heow much has he got ? " persisted 

Ethan. 

« I don't know just how much. He 
never told me." 

" Got five thousand dollars? " 

" Perhaps so." 

« I don't b'lieve it," grunted Ethan, con- 
temptuously. "I know Jock Cope, an' I 
know he ain't worth no sech money's that. 
He's done a pile o' harm to this country, 
though, I'll say that for him," he added 

glumly. 

"Done harm? My father done harm? 
I don't believe it ! " exclaimed Jock, warmly. 




IIM 'i 



80 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WHENCE. 

" Well, he has, whether ye believe it or 
not." 

" What's he done ? " 

" Oh, he wasn't satisfied to stay here an' 
do what his father did afore him. No, he 
had to go off down to New York, an' they 
say he's worth five thousand dollars now. 
I don't believe it, but all the boys reound 
here do, an' so they're goin' off to teown to 
make their fortunes too. Now my boy 
Tom, he's goin' to help reound your camp, 
ye know, he's got the fever too. Some- 
body's told him if he'll come down there 
they'll get him a job on the street cars an' 
pay him a dollar an' a half every day." 
And Ethan's eyes became large as his voice 
dropped lower in his efforts to be more im- 
pressive. " He's nothin' but a young fool, 
that's what he is, and he's all took up with 
the notion. I want you boys to tell him 
'tisn't so, that is, if you know anything 
abeout it, which I don't much believe for my 
part. It doesn't stand to reason that there'd 
be anybody so tarnel foolish as jest to give 
him a dollar and a half every day :^ 
standin' up on a street car. No, sir. I 
don't believe no such thing." 

The boys looked at one another, and not 



\ENCE. 

jlieve it or 



ly here an' 
n. No, he 
k, an' they 
)llars now. 
)y8 reound 
o teown to 
y my boy 
^our camp, 
)o. Some- , 
own there 
et cars an' 
i^ery day." 
s his voice 
} more im- 
oung fool, 
)k up with 
tell him 
anything 
eve for my 
liat there'd 
)st to give 
^ day :^ 
\o, sir. I 

r, and not 



THE SAIL DOWy THE RIVER. 



87 



even the sight of the beautiful river could 
keep back the look of uniusement which 
crept over their faces. 

" Ethan, have you ever been in New 
York ?" inquired Bob. 

"Who, me? Well, I rather guess not. 
They don't get me to go to no sech place 
as that. Pickpockets an' thieves an' gam- 
blers. No, sir. I've never been outside 
o' Jefferson an' St. Lawrence counties in 
all my born days. This 'ere river is good 
enough for me, an' I'm goin' to stay where 
I'm well off. Since these city people have 
got to comin' up here summers, I'm makin' 
money." 

From Ethan's manner it was evident that 
he wished the boys to question him, and Bob 
was the first to improve the opportunity. 

"Ethan, are you a rich man?" he in- 
quired solemnly. 

"Rich? well, I don' know as ye'd call 
it that exactly. I'm doin' pretty well, 
though. D'ye know heow much money I 
took in last summer rowin' ? " he added, as 
if he were about to disclose some great 
secret. 

" No ; I can't imagine. How much was 
it?" said Bob. 




38 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWHENCE. 

" One lumdred an' ten dollars an' sixty- 
nine cents ! " 

" You don't mean it ! It can't be possi- 
ble!" 

" Well, it is trew, whether it's possible or 
not. I saved thirty-one dollars an' sixteen 
cents an' have got it in the bank up to Wat'- 
town now." 

" What did you do with the rest of it ? " 

"Oh, I had to live, didn't I ? Well, I 
used that in livin'. My neighbors thought 
I was livin' pretty high, but I didn't put 
on no airs. I ain't proud." 

" Whose island is that ? " inquired Ben, 
pointing to a small island on which there 
was a beautiful cottage. He felt that di- 
version was necessary to break the spell 
Ethan's astounding statements had pro- 
duced, and accordingly asked the first ques- 
tion that occurred to him. 

"That? oh, that b'longs to another fool 
deown New York way. They tell me he's 
just bought it an' give a thousand dollars 
for it. 'Tain't worth it. 'Tisn't worth 
fifty cents. Ye jest can't raise nuthin' on 
it. Why, I could 'a' had that island for a 
gift if I'd been willin' to pay the tax on it 
twenty-five year ago, an' that wasn't raore'n 



INCM. 

an' sixty- 

b be possi- 

possible or 
m' sixteen 
p to Wat'- 

stof it?" 

Well, I 

s thought 

iidn't put 

lired Ben, 
tiich there 
it that di- 
the spell 
had pro- 
first ques- 

lother fool 
11 me he's 
nd dollars 
n't worth 
nuthin' on 
land for a 
tax on it 
n't inore'n 



THE SAIL DOWN THB RIVER. 



89 




fifty cents. There's yer camp ahead o' ye, 

'Tlntly the statements of f '--j^ 
lous Ethan were forgotten and all peered 
eagerly at the place he had indicated 
Even L exhilaration of the sail which had 
tcupied two hours and a half was also for- 

^IrtheTl^ad swept on in their course the 
boys had been more and more elated. On 
past beautiful islands, and summer camps, 
and parks which seemed like large villages 
they had come. Sometimes they had passed 
close to the shore in places where the chan- 
nel was almost like a mill-race m Its ^w^l. 

ness, and then again they were out m the 
::^; where only an eddy here and there ^^^^ 
dicated the tremendous power of the g^eat 
water, on whose surface they were sailmg^ 
Wooded islands had been seen, and then 
islands which appeared to be on^ ^eat 

rocks and Moulders ^o^^^^^^^ 
Camping parties hke their own n 
passed, and salutes had been fii^d to 
acknowledge their approach. Men vnd 
:omen, boys and girls had all s.med J. 

catch somethmg of the life of the great 
river, and on every side there appeared to 




40 



CAMPim ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



be the joy which came from the freedom 

from care and the life-giving breezes of the 

majestic St. Lawrence. 
Only Jock, of the party, had ever been 

there before, and in the no relty and delight 
of the experience, his companions had, per- 
haps, failed to be duly impressed by the 
sceptical sentiments of their boatman. At 
all events, when Ethan declared that the 
camp was in sight, even his own presence 
became vague and unreal as the boys peered 
eagerly before them at the place where they 
were to. stay for the coming six weeks, and 
where doubtless many and thrilling expe- 
riences were to be theirs. 




BENGE. 



ihe freedom 
eezes of the 

I ever been 
and delight 
IS had, per- 
sed by the 
itman. At 
I that the 
n presence 
>oys peered 
where they 
iveeks, and 
ling expe- 



CHAPTER IV. 



IN CAMP. 



As the swift little boat swept forward 
the tents were soon visible, standing as 
they did near the shore and yet close to 
the woods which stretched away m the dis- 
tance. There were two of these tents, and 
the white canvas outlined against the green 
foliage presented a wonderfully attractive 
appearance, at least to the eager boys, who 
were all unmindful now of their boatman s 
financial problems and intent only upon the 
vision of their abode for the commg few 

weeks. . , 

Ethan explained to his companions that 
one of the tents was designed to be their 
sleeping quarters and the other was to pro- 
vide a kitchen which could be used on 
stormy days. On other days the cooking 
was to be done in the open air, and the 
fireplace and the pile of logs which was to 
furnish fuel soon could be seen clearly as 
the party came nearer to the island. 

41 



4 



42 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

There was a rude little dock near the 
camping place, and to this Ethan guided 
his boat and soon landed his passengers 
As the boys leaped out, Bert called to his 
companions: "This is great, fellows! Let's 
give the school cheer ! " 

Instantly their united voices rang out, and 
Ethan looked up in astonishment. "What 
d'ye do that for ? " he inquired blankly. 

"That's our school yeU, Ethan," replied 
Jock. " Give it again, boys ! " 

As the sharp, clear cry rang out again 
they saw a young fellow of about their own 
age approaching from the tents, and his evi- 
dent surprise was as marked as that of the 
boatman. Only a brief glance, however, was 
required to convince the boys that it was 
Ethan's son before them. There was the 
same general outline of features as in the 
older man, and the same peculiar hitch as 
he walked. 

"That's yer school yell, is it?" said 
Ethan. « Do they make ye do it often ? " 

" Oh, whenever we feel like it," laughed 
Jock. 

"Well, your pa an' I used to have a 
school yell when we went to the little 
red schoolhouse, an' I want to tell ye that 



■■•» 



ENCE. 

near the 
in guided 
asseiigers. 
led to his 
ATS ! Let's 

? out, and 
"What, 
mkly. 

," replied 

•ut again 
heir own 
d his evi- 
it of the 
jver, was 
t it was 
was the 
is in the 
hitch as 

?" said 
often ? " 
laughed 

have a 
e little 
ye that 



IN CAMP. 



48 



not one of ye can come up to him either. 
Many's the time I've seen him toe a crack, 
an' when the teacher brought his hickory 
ferule down ker-whack, yer pa could make a 
louder noise than any o' you boys. He was 
a powerful one to yell, Jock Cope was! 

Even Ethan's recollections were not of 
sufficient interest low to prevent the boys 
from running up the bank to their tents 
and soon they were eagerly examimng all 
the details of their camp. There were four 
cots in one of the tents and m the other 
were places where their trunks and guns 
and rods and their various belongings might 
be stored. Ethan's son, ^^o had been in- 
troduced as Tom, remained with his father 
and assisted in bringing ^ rom^?^« ^" 
articles which were to be stored m the tents, 
and soon had everything arranged and m 

order £ 

The camp was on the wooded shore of 
one of the larger i.iands. Before them was 
a view of the broad river, dotted here and 
there with islands, on some of which were 
cottages and on others camping parties not 
unlike their own. It was noon time now 
and the sun was almost directly above their 
heads The air was almost motionless, but 



44 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

the restless river was hastening on as if 
wind or wave, or heat or cold, were all 
alike to it. The sublimity of the scene, the 
novelty of the camp, the rushing waters, 
and tall silent trees all combined to pro- 
duce a feelmg of intense delight in the 
hearts of the boys, and they stood together 
on the shore looking out over the beautiful 
sight and filled with expectations such as 
only lightrhearted lads at such a time can 

know. 

" I say, boys, mebbe ye'd like something 

to eat." 

In a moment the beautiful vision had lost 
its power, and turning eagerly to the camp, 
Jock said: "You are right, Ethan. How did 
you know we were hungry ? " 

"Didn't have to know. Folks have to 
eat, don' they? It's dinner time, that's 
what it is. Most o' folks like to look at 
the river when they first come, but they find 
scenery isn't specially fillin' as a diet. They 
mostly wants somethin' to eat afore long." 

" We're like the others, then," said Ben. 
" Did you say you had dinner now in the 
middle of the day?" 

" Yes, that's what I said. When did ye 
expect to have it ? " 



I 



i^ 



IN CAMP. 



46 



as if 
'e all 
e, the 
aters, 
3 pro- 
n the 
gather 
lutiful 
ich as 
le can 

ething 

a,d lost 
camp, 
owdid 

ave to 
that's 

ook at 

ey find 

They 

long." 

id Ben. 
in the 

did ye 



« Oh, I didn't know. We usually have 
it at night when we're at home." 

" At night ? Dinner at night ? " ex- 
claimed Ethan. " Ye must be funny folks. 
Noon's the hour for dinner. Everybody 
knows that." 

" Go ahead, Ethan. Have it now. We 
may want it every hour in the day, if the 
feeling I have is anything that lasts very 

long." 

Thus bidden, Ethan and Tom at once 
prepared dinner. While the younger man 
made a fire, Ethan prepared the potatoes, 
whittling the skins as if he had been carv- 
ing an oar. He also split three black bass 
which Tom had caught in the morning, and 
made them ready for broiling. In addition 
to these he had fresh vegetables, a coffee 
pot, a can of milk, and various other neces- 
sities, and to the surprise of the boys it at 
once became evident that both Ethan and 
his son were adepts in the art of preparing 
a dinner in a St. Lawrence camp. 

Soon a savory odor rose from the fire- 
place, and the curiosity of the boys gave 
place to a feeling of eagerness for the time 
to come when they would be summoned to 
the repast. The few dishes were at last 



46 CAMPINO ON TUB 8T. LAWRENCE. 

brought forth, the dinner was declared 
to be ready, and the boys fell to with a 

What appetites they had ! How good 
everything tasted! For a time even con- 
versation was neglected, but at last, when 
the cravings of the inner man began to be 
appeased, then the joy and inspiration of 
the hour once more returned. 

« I s'pose ye've got a pretty fair house 
down to New York?" queried Ethan of 

Jock. 

« Oh, yes. It's one you might call com- 
fortable, I suppose," said Jock, with a laugh. 

" Got good beds in it ? " 

"Yes." 

« Your ma keeps a girl, I s'pose ? " 

"Keeps a girl? I don't know that I 
understand what you mean," said Jock. 

« I mean what I say. She's got a hired 

girl, hasn't she ? " 

"Do you mean the maids? The ser- 
vants ? " 

" No, I don' mean no servants. I mean 

hired girls." ^^ 

" Well, yes, I suppose she has. 
"They have four servants — hired girls, 

I mean," drawled Bob. 





t 



IN CAMP. 



47 



ilared 
ith a 

good 

I con- 
when 
to be 

ion of 

house 
lian of 

II corn- 
laugh. 



that I 
ck. 
a hired 

he ser- 

I mean 

}d girls, 



"Four, four? What's yer ma do her- 
self ' " 1 
« Oh, she's busy all the time, too busy, 

xny father thinks," laughed Jock^ 

"Four hu-ed girls! I swan, if that don 

beat all creation! What did ye want to 
come down here for then, I'd like to know? 

Eatin outdoors and sleepin' on a cot when 
ye don' have to ; that beats me ! Ye city 
folks must be a queer lot." 

" That's just what we're here for, Mhan. 
We came on pm-pose to get a taste of outr 

door life." , j j„„i 

"Well, ye're likely to have a good deal 
more'n a taste, I'm thinkin' Now, then 
he said to Tom when the dinner had been 
eaten, "I'll leave ye here to look aiter the 
boys while I go over to the Bay an get 
the trunks an' things that were checked 
through. I'll be back by the middle o the 
aftemoon.^^ Ye can get along without me, 

can't ye ? " ^ __ . . ^ 

"Yes, yes," said Jock. «We wan to 

get out our rods and fix things up a little. 

We can try the fishing to-morrow, cant 

we, Ethan?" ,. , „^, 

"Yes, ye can try it," replied Ethan, 

dryly. 



48 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



« You don't think we'll do much ? Is that 
it, or isn't the fishing good this summer ? " 

« Oh, the fishin' is all right. Lots o' fish 
here. No trouble about that." 

But Ethan at once went down to the dock 
and set sail for Alexandria Bay, and the 
boys began to look to their rods and guns. 
Tom, who was supposed to be clearing away 
the dishes, frequently paused in his occu- 
pation to examine the belongings of the 
campers ; but, although he was feeling more 
at ease now with them, not one word of sur^ 
prise or commendation did he bestow. In- 
deed, his companions began to fear that their 
tackle must all be wrong or out or date, for 
the only response Tom would make to any 
of their anxious inquiries, was that *he 
supposed 'twas all good enough ; he could 
tell better to-morrow.' 

When everything had been done which 
could be done before the trunks came, the 
four y. Dys together left the camp and walked 
up the shore. The novelty was still strong, 
and they were eager to examine their im- 
mediate surroundings. And there was 
much to interest them. Swift steam yachts 
frequently passed up the river, and the 
groups of happy people on the decks could 



IN CAMP. 



49 



be plainly seen from the shore. Occasion- 
ally a puff of smoke could be seen, and the 
boom of a small cannon on some of the 
neighboring islands could be heard, and then 
the shrill scream of the whistle of a pass- 
ing yacht or steamer would respond m ac- 
knowledgment of the salute. Skiffs were 
also seen, and the rod held in the hands of 
the person seated in the stern would mdi- 
cate the occupation upon which he was 

bent. , 

Above them was the clear blue sky, be- 
hind them the whispering trees of the forest, 
and before them the great, onward-rushmg 
river, its blue waters knowing no rest, and 
yet in spite of their evident haste impartmg 
a feeling of restfulness to all the beholders, 
so vast was the power, so slight the effort 
requu-ed to maintam the steady, constant 

course. , ^ , 

To Jock the great river almost seemed 
to be alive. At ^imes it was restless and 
almost angry, and then again it seemed to 
be hastening past him as if it were unmmd- 
ful of its surroundings, or scornful ot the 
puny people who sailed over its surface or 
stood wondering upon its banks. But the 
feeling of exhilaration, the delight m the 



■I 




-■W 



60 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

presence of one of nature's most wonderful 
works, was apparent in all the boys. 

As they turned at last to retrace their 
way to the camp, Bob, who had been silent 
most of the time, said : " This is a great 
place, Jock. 'Twas good of you to have us 
all here." 

"Yes, it was pure philanthropy," said 
Jock. " You see, I had been down here be- 
fore and wanted all the more to come again ; 
but my father didn't want me to come 
alone ; so I just had to make up a party, or 
stay at home. I'm generous, am I not? " 

" Yes ; what was that ? " Bob suddenly 
said, stopping short and peering excitedly 
out into the river at a place where a whirl 
or eddy in the stream appeared. 

" That ? oh, that was probably some fish." 

" Jock Cope, do you mean to tell me they 
have fish like that in this river? " 

"Why, yes J what did you think was 
here?" 

"Oh, I didn't know. But I'm wonder- 
ing what I would do if a fish as large as that 
one was should get hold of one end of a 
line and I should be at the other." 

" You'd wake up and go to work, for once 
in your life." 





GE. 

anderful 

ce their 
in silent 
a great 
have us 

^," said 
here be- 
e again ; 
o come 
tarty, or 
lot?" 
iiddenly 
xcitedly 
a whirl 

le fish." 
me they 

nk was 

wronder- 

as that 

id of a 

Eor once 



JJV CAMP. 



61 



« I think I should, for a fact. I almost 
wish we could try it to-night." 

'' We'll try it, all right, in the mommg. 
Ethan will hav^. to get our minnows for 
us. Hark! what's that?" 

The boys were now near the camp, and 
suddenly stopped as the sound of some one 
calling was heard. And yet the voice was 
more like that of one in distress, and fearful 
that something was wrong they began to 

"^"^ As they came to a place from which they 
could see into the interior of their camp- 
ing place, they stopped and gazed curious y 
at the sight before them. Tom, evidently 
thinking that he was unobserved, had taken 
a position in front of one of the tents and 
was looking up into the sky. His arms 
were occasionally flung out, moving with 
the grace with which a pump handle per- 
forms its duties. He was standing with his 
feet far apart, and his entire bearing be- 
tokened the evident excitement under which 
he was laboring. 

The startled boys were about to rush tor- 
ward to his assistance, when they were still 
further astonished by the words which Tom 
thundered forth. 



52 CAMPma ON the st. lawrenck. 



"Tew be — or not tew be," shouted the 
young fisherman. 

The Hstening lads gazed blankly at one 
another, but before they could speak Tom's 
voice was heard again. 

" Tew be — ," then came a long pause 
before he shouted, " or not teiv be." His 
arms were again flung out wildly and his 
face was still turned toward the sky. Ap- 
parently the question received no answer, 
and varying the emphasis and inflection, the 
sadly troubled Tom again broke forth, — 

" Tew be-e-e, or not tew be-e-e-e." 

Again our boys gazed blankly, first at the 
excited young fellow before them, and then 
into one another's faces. 

"He's sick! He's crazy!" said Ben, ex- 
citedly. 

" He's going to commit suicide ! " re- 
sponded Jock, with equal excitement. 

Moved as by a common impulse all four 
of the boys instantly darted into the camp ; 
but the startled Tom, bestowing upon them 
one glance of terror and confusion, turned 
and ran swiftly into the woods. 



ii 







,ed the 



at one 
Tom's 

pause 
' Hia 

nd his 
Ap- 
mswer, 
on, the 
1,— 

at the 
d then 

en, ex- 

!" re- 

it. 

11 four 

camp; 

d them 

turned 



m 



CHAPTER V. 

BEN TRIES THE CANOE. 

Before any of the be 's cculd start 'n 
pursuit of the fleeing Tom, oae of them 
suddenly called out, "Isn't <hat Kthan 

coming ? " 

They all turned at the words and pei 
ceived the fisherman already near the dc-.c 
and with one accord they ran -.-i-tly to 
meet him. His boat was apparent]^' filled 
with their trunks and belongings, and the 
two canoes which Jock had ordered to be 
sent were also on board. 

As Ethan ran his craft alongside the 
dock, Jock, too excited to note carefully 
whether all his possessions had been ob- 
tained or not, called out, "Oh, Ethan, 
something's the matter with Tom!" 

"Hey? somethin' the matter with him? 
How long since ? " 

To the surprise of the boys Ethan did 
not seem to share in their alarm. He was 

68 




U^^>\ r^J'H^f '» '^ 



54 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

giving all his thought to the landing he 
was making, and as soon as his boat was 
made fast he climbed up on the dock and 
stood calmly regarding the excited lads be- 
fore him. 

" What's he been doin' now ? " he said. 
" Oh, I don't know," exclaimed Jock. 
« We had all gone up the shore and when 
we came back to camp we heard Tom call- 
ing. We could see him, too, and he was 
waving his arms and calling out as if he 
was in pain, and when we ran in, he just 
looked at as a minute and then started off 
into the woods as fast as he could go. He 
must be sick, Ethan. Come on, we'll help 
you look for him." ^ 

« Was he a-sayin' anything ? " mquired 
the fisherman, still for some unaccountable 
reason not much aroused by the stattlmg 
announcement. 

■' Saying anythmg ? " exclaimed Bert. 1 
should say he was. He was calling and 
groaning. Why, we could hear him way 
ap the shore. He must be in troiible. 
Come, Ethan; come on! We'll all help 

>» 
you. 

"Was he a-sayin' anything? Impanany 
words like ? " 



SCE. 

iding he 
boat was 
dock and 
i lads be- 

le said, 
led Jock, 
and when 
Tom call- 
d he was 
t as if he 
n, he just 
started off 
i go. He 
we'll help 

' inquired 
,ccountable 
e startling 

d Bert. " I 
jailing and 
r him way 
in trouble. 
11 all help 

I m^an any 



BEN TRIES THE CANOE. 



55 



u Yes, I believe he was," said Bob. " We 
could make out a few words." 

"What was they?" ..^ u ' «^ 

« Oh, he said something about to be or 

, iM ^ +v.a+ We didn't s+op to 

<;omethmg like that, we ui. u ^ ^ 

distress. What are you waitmg for, Ethan ( 

Whv don't you come on? " 

^'That's jest what I thought. Tom was 

sayin' his Hamlick." 
" Saying what ? " 

.Hi, Hamlick. Don' ye know wl>a 
that 18 ? Hamlick'B a dialogue or a play_^ 1 
don know who writ it, but Tom does. The 
lung £olk8 over to the Comers is gom to 
irf exhibition, and Hamlick's the one they 

decided on. Tom is to be Hamhck, and he 
was iest arpractisin' his piece. 

For a moment the boys gazed blankly at 
one another, and then all but B^bru^d 

from the dock as if they too had been 
s^kken by the same evil disease which 
thev feared had seized upon Tom. 

Bob, however, remained with Ethan, and 
with L fa«e as expressionless as he could 
make it at times, inquired ^^^''y- " 

" When is this play going to be given, 

Ethan ? " 



n 






i u 



V 



56 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



<( 



'• Oh, I don' know. Some time this sum- 
mer, I suppose. They 'most always give 
somethin' while the summer boarders is 
here, and this year the walks needed fixin' 
up in the Corners some, so they — I mean 
the young folks, o' course — decided to give 
Hamlick; and Tom he's to be the Hamlick 
in chief. Ever bear that dialogue down to 
your place ? " 

" Yes, I believe I have. I've heard of it, 
anyway." 

"I thought likely. Pretty good thinjr. 
isn't it ? " ^ 

" I believe it is thought to be a very good 
one. We shall want to know when it is 
to be given so that we can all come over 
and see it." 

" I'll let ye know when it comes off.'* 
Ethan suddenly placed a finger in his 
mouth and emitted a shrill whistle. «I 
guess that'll call up Tom," he explained. 

A repetition of the signal brought the 
reluctant Tom from the woods, and as he 
approached the dock he gazed in a shame- 
faced way at Bob, as if he expected him to 
say something about what had happened ; 
but Bob's face was still expressionless, to. 
the evident comfort of the young fisherman. 



i' 



BEN TRIES THE CANOE. 



57 



« Step lively here, Tom," called his father. 
« We must get these trunks and thmgs up 
to the camp afore night. You 'most scared 
these boys to death with your Hamlick, 

he added. , 

"Your father has been tellmg us about 
the play you are to give at the Corners, 
Tom" iid Bob, quietly. " We shall want 
to come over and see it. You mustn t fail 
to let us know when it is to be given. 

Somewhat reassured by the kind manner 
of Bob, Tom was more at his ease and at 
once began to assist his father in transfer- 
ring the cargo of the little boat to the camp. 
The other boys now returned, but a 
wammg look from Bob caused them all to 
be silent about the recent occurrence. In 
a brief time the trunks had been placed m 
the tent where they belonged, the canoes 
were left on the shore, and then Ethan and 
Tom began to prepare supper. 

The appetites of the boys apparently 
were as keen as they had been at noon time, 
and the rapidity with which the table was 
cleared was a delight to Ethan s heart 
Neither Hamlick nor the Ghost could 
interfere now, for the demands of their 
hunger were supreme. 



E^:*>Sa*it^*f' 



y3sSSS*««i 



58 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Soon after supper Ethan and Tom de- 
parted for the night, promising to return 
at daybreak in time to prepare breakfast 
and be ready for the fishing which was to 
be done on the following day. The boys 
stood on the shore and watched the boat as 
it sped away over the river, and then when 
it had disappeared from sight they all 
turned and demanded of Bob the explana- 
tion of Hamlick. 

But Bob was in no mood to banter, and 
so he soberly related what Ethan had told 
him about the efforts of the " young folks " 
at the Corners to do something which 
should aid in improving the little hamlet 
in which they dwelt. Somehow it all ap- 
peared in a different light now, and the 
merriment was soon gone. 

" I'm gomg to have a paddle in one of 
the canoes before I go to bed," exclaimed 
Jock, as he leaped up from the bank on 
which they were all seated. 

As the other boys had had no experience 
in that sport, they all stood on the dock, 
eagerly watching their comrade as he took 
his seat in the light little canoe and wield- 
ing his paddle swept swiftly over the 
water. 



CE. 

rom de- 
) return 
reakfast 

was to 
he boys 

boat as 
m when 
hey all 
jxplana- 

ter, and 

lad told 

f folks " 

which 

hamlet 

all ap- 

md the 

one of 
claimed 
ank on 

>erience 
e dock, 
be took 
1 wield- 
i^er the 



BEN TRIES THE CANOE. 



59 



"Did you ever see anything like that!" 
exclaimed Ben, delightedly "'It's like a 

feather on the water or a leaf upon the 
stream; or something like that we had in 
our English last spring at school. Isn t it 

"" Yes, and how easily Jock does it too," 
added Bob, with a wink at Bert as he spoke. 
" Travelling like that is just fun. 

«1 wonder if I can't do it," said Ben 
looking longingly at the other canoe, which 
was still on the bank. 

"You can try it, can't you?" drawled 
Bob "Nothing like trying, you know. 
It's a knack, that's all, and you have to be 
careful. Shall I help you bring the other 
canoe down to the dock?" 

Ben glanced once more at Jock, who cou d 
be seen far out on the river, and the sight 
served to increase his eagerness. ' ^es; 
come on, fellows. If you'll help me, I U try 

'^':rn^i'roment the canoe was lifted and 
carried down to the dock. Then Bob held 
one end of it securely and Bert the other, 
while Ben cautiously took his seat m the 
middle. A shout from Jock caused them 
all to look up, and they could see that he 



■' 





* 



H 



60 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

was paddling toward them with all the 
speed he could summon. 

"Perhaps he's calling for you to come 
out and meet him," said Bob, soberly. 

" I'll do it," said Ben, eagerly, " and then 
race him for the dock. Push her out, . 
boys!" he added gleefully, as he grasped 
his paddle. 

The canoe shot out from the dock, and 
the boys stood eagerly watching Ben as he 
drove his paddle deep into the water. 

"Look out there, Ben!" shouted Bob. 
" Remember, you'll have to keep your bal- 
ance." 

"Be careful, Ben! Look to your pad- 
dling ! " called Bert. 

" Don't tip her so much to one side 1 " 

"Ease up, there! Don't lean so far 

over! 

" Sit up ! Lean back ! Lie down I Tip 
over ! " called Bob, soothingly. 

" Go up the river ! Go down the stream ! 
Come ashore ! Turn around ! Go ahead ! " 
shouted Bert, encouragingly. 

But poor Ben was too much occupied 
with his own efforts to heed the confusing 
calls of his companions. Twice the little 
canoe had almost capsized, but somehow 



BEN TRIES TUE CANOE. 



61 



B->'»^™rt:sSt: remits 

the water. , ,.' he called in de- 

« I say, you fellows . i ^ „ 

»T pant manage this— ni. 

went over. "Throw me a ropei 
out and help me 1 " 

« < I can't, my a^^h ^"""b „ 

For, oh, you've tied my bauds, 

sang Bob, mockingly- ^^^,^ 

« Oh, come ashore, Ken, ii y 

V, .a" railed Bert, soothmgly. ^ou 

' 'hix^over. I'll risk itl I'Uriskit!" 

"^^lotCknoth--'' began Ben, desper- 

1 K,t hia exclamation was not com- 

reverse the weight. Hi' »f '?" ^„„id y^ 
H^ now and it seemed as il there cou 
Zil2 result, and that must come soon. 

"It's Koing " shouted Ben, in despair. 

4o I see" called Bob, encouragmgly. 
" K^p tup Ben! what you need IS pmc 




rii 



II!': 



62 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

tice. Practice makes perfect, you know. 
Keep it up! Keep it up!" 

"I'm going! I'm going! I m go- 
shouted Ben. , 

It was evident that he had spoken truly. 
For a time or two he succeeded in righting 
his craft, but each effort seemed to make his 
condition worse. Suddenly the canoe wen 
over; the paddle in Ben's hands flew out 

over the water, and then the lad's long legs 
and feet appeared to be lifted mto f ^;'' 
and waved frantically for a moment before 
with a circular movement, they followed 
their owner and quickly disappeared m the 

""Going, going, gone!'' called Bob sol^ 
emnly, as he gazed out over the water at 
the pllce where his friend had disappeared. 
Ben was an expert swimmer, much the 
best of the four, so that they had no fears 
for his safety ; and the ludicrous sight ot 
'those long legs', with what Bob called "the. 
despairing appeal to come over and help us 
disappearing in the St. Lawrence, was more 
than either could endure. They burst mt« 
shrieks of laughter. They hugged each 
^ther intheirdelight,and even Boblaughed 
until the tears rolled down his cheeks. 



A 



iCE. 

u know. 

n go — 

:en truly. 
1 righting 
make his 
moe went 
i flew out 
, long legs 
to the air, 
mt before, 
r followed 
ired in the 

I Bob, sol- 
e water at 
isappeared. 
, much the 
d no fears 
us sight of 
lUed " their 
nd help us," 
e, was more 
Y burst into 
ugged each 
Boblaughed 
Bheeks. 




r 






^i 



lUJ...4lli ■ U 



L 



BEN TRIES HIE CANOE. 



68 



B.it Ben speedily appeared, and as he 
started out for the dock, Bert called to urn, 
^^ Your canoe's going down the river, Ben ; 

go's your paddle. 

u The proper way, my friend, to paddle 
a canoe is from the upper, not the under, 
Le," said Bob, soothingly. ''Take my 

advice, Ben. 

Ben was for taking the canoe, however, 
which already was drifting away from him ; 
but as he started to swim toward it, Jock 
swept past him, and, calling to him to go 
ashore, said that he would get both canoe 

^" wTen Ben climbed in his dripping clothes 
up on the dock, the laughter of the boys was 

renewed. , „ -c ^a 

" You'd have done all right, Ben, if you d 

left those feet and legs of yours ashore. 

They were in the way. There are some 

things even the St. Lawrence won t stand 
" You wait," said Ben, doggedly. i u 

show YOU yet.' 

And "show" them he did. As soon as 

the canoe was restored he insisted upon re- 

peating his experience. It was true that 

he was capsized agaui, but he sturdily stuck 

to his task, and in an hour had, m a meas- 




rif 



64 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ure, mastered the problem, and was able to 
paddle swiftly up and down the river. 

It was dark now, and the boys were soon 
ready for bed. A pile of logs had been 
placed before their tent, and as soon as the 
other boys were in their cots, Jock started 
the fire. The light of the flames could be 
seen far out over the river, and it was long 
before sleep came to the campers. The 
sighing of the wind in the tree-tops, the 
rush of the mighty waters, the constant lap- 
ping of the little waves upon the shore, the 
twinkling stars, which could be seen beyond 
the waving branches, were all novel and 
strange. Then, too, when some of the boys 
would be ready for sleep, others would not 
feel so inclined. They would leave their 
tent and fire their guns at imaginary ene- 
mies or wild beasts. The school cheer, and 
even the school songs, had to be given again 
and again, but at last even these experiences 
became monotonous, and the tired boys slept. 

It was not long after dawn on the follow- 
ing morning when Jock and Ben sat up in 
their beds and looked about them. Both of 
their companions were gone, but the sounds 
that came from the river left no doubt as to 
their whereabouts. Hastily dressing, both 



•-•i. 



mcE. 

a,a able to 
iver. 

were soon 
had been 
ion as the 
3k started 
1 could be 
was long 
ers. The 
■tops, the 
stant lap- 
shore, the 
m beyond 
iovel and 
: the boys 
rauld not 
ave their 
nary ene- 
iheer, and 
ven again 
:periences 
loys slept, 
tie follow- 
sat up in 
Both of 
le sounds 
)ubt as to 
ing, both 



BEN TRIES THE CANOE. 



6ft 



Knv« ran down to the shore and there be- 
St"r friends, clad in their bathing-suits 

a^dm^tising the art of paddling a canoe 
;lout departing from the craft when it 

ceeded but even their efforts were ignored 
;tn kthan and Tom were di-vered ap- 
r oaching in their sailboat, and all knew 
CttU would the b.a.^^^^^^^ 

s tw: aXff:^in"x1.^n th St. 

ttence would soon be put to the test. 



III* I 



CHAPTER VI. 




THE FIRST day's SPORT. 

Ethan and his son soon had breakfast 
ready for the campers, and as they had 
brough with them from home some dainty 
viands such as only the housewives of the 
region knew how to prepare, these, with 
the food the fishermen cooked, made a 
repast over which even a king might have 
rejoiced, especially if he could have boasted 
of such an appetite as the lads on Pine Tree 
Island had. 

None of them was thinking, however, of 
kings or of kingly appetites that morning ; 
and when at last the boys ceased, chiefly 
because even the well-spread table had been 
cleared, Jock turned to Ethan and said, 
" Where are you going to take us to-day ? " 

" Fishin'." 

" Yes, I know ; but where are we going 
to fish?" 

"Oh, I haven't jest made up my mind 

66 



THE FIRST DAY'S SPORT. 



67 



reakfast 
ley had 
i dainty 
i of the 
ie, with 
made a 
ht have 
boasted 
ne Tree 

ever, of 
orning ; 
chiefly 
ad been 
id said, 
.-day?" 

3 going 

y mind 



yet. Mebbe in one place, and *"»'; 
Sbe in another. WiU try our luck till 

«ro atrike what we want. 

Per eWilg that Ethan wa. averse to 
comm ttTng himseU on such delicate maV 
rTjoclf called to his ..nipamo™ ^d 
they at once began to collect their rod. 
and the various necessities of the day, and 
;; the time they had all thmgs r-^y.^^° 
and Tom had stored away the cooking uten 
tas and soon after came to the dock. 

!: iTit safe to leave everything liere in tte 
„amp without any one to watch lU^ said B^^ 
"Hey'" replied Ethan. "Safe? lisnt 
Boin' to rain tcHjay." • 

^"Oh Iwt..m'ta{raidof the weather I 
didn t know but some one might come atong 
and, finding no one in the camp,help him- 

""■'fX'' if honest here," said Ethan, 
„uffly. "Is'poseyouhavetokeepyour 
Cocked don to New York, don t ye? 
" Why, yes, we usually do," said Bert. 
" Well I'm glad I don't live there that 8 
all Icin say then. I haven't got a lock on 
^y hie over at the Corners, and I haven^ 
Z, since I buUt, nigh on twenty-two years 

ago." 




i 



?5l;:i; 



! i 



'M 



68 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWBENCE. 

"What!" exclaimed Ben. "You don't 
mean to say you don't lock up nights, do 
you ? " 

"That's just what I mean to say. I 
never had nothin' stole since I've lived 
here. Folks is honest here, I tell ye. K 
anything is taken, it'll be because some o' 
the city folks what come down here sum- 
mers has taken it. The city must be a 
dreadful place to live in. They say even 
flowers won't grow there ; an' if the posies 
don't like it, I don't know what it must 
be when it comes to huming bein's and 
boys. Heow ye goin' to divide up yer 
party ? " 

It was speedily arranged that Jock and 
Bob should go with Ethan, and the other 
boys with Tom. The skiffs were at once 
prepared, and when the fishing tackle had 
been placed on board, the boys took their 
seats as the men directed. 

What a delightful experience it was, they 
all thought. The skiffs were models of 
beauty and grace, and the seats the boys 
occupied were cane chairs l^rora which the 
legs had been cut, and were also provided 
with cushions. Bob was seated in the 
stern and Jock in the bow, with Ev'^an be- 



I ^« 



b 



|u don't 
jhts, do 




THS FIRST DAY'S SPOBT. 



69 



tween them, and in the other boat a similar 
arrangement had been made. 

As soon as he perceived that they were 
ready, Ethan grasped the oars, and with 
steady strokes began to row out into the 
river. The water over which they passed 
was clear and beautiful. Scarcely a breeze 
ruffled the surface, and as the light skiff 
darted ahead, it almost seemed as if it re- 
quired no effort to send it forward. 

" I don't know but ye might as well bait 
up," said Ethan, when they had gone a few 
hundred yards from the camp. " I don't 
s'pose ye'll catch anything here, but there's 
no harm in try in'. It's about time for the 
muscalonge to begin to run, an' who knows 
but ye might strike one ? " 

Ethan rested on his oars, and taking first 
one of the lines and then the other, attached 
a live minnow to each of the hooks, and 
threw them overboard. 

" Neow, let out about a hundred an' 
twenuy-five or fifty feet," he said, "an' we'll 
troll till we get where we're goin' first." 

Far behind on one side of the skiff 
stretched Jock's line, and on the other 
was Bob's, and as they paid out the slen- 
der cord they could see that their friends 




»! 




70 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

in the other boat, which was distant about 
two hundred yards, had followed their 
example. 

"This is what I call great sport," said 
Jock, contentedly. 

"It is pretty good," replied Bob. "At 
least it isn't what you call actual labor, ex- 
cept for Ethan. I think it's rather my way 
of fishing. I've heard them tell about catch- 
ing trout with an eight-ounce rod, and how 
a fellow has to crawl through the bushes 
and tumble over the logs, and then he 
makes his cast. He mustn't move, they 
say, not even if a million million mosquitoes 
and black flies light on his hand ; and then 
if he succeeds, at last he yanks up a little 
speckled trout that weighs about four ounces, 
and he thinks he's had a great catch. No, 
I think this is the situation which is better 
adapted to my precious and delicate frame," 
and as he spoke Bob stretched himself out 
lazily in his chair and permitted his rod to 
rest on the boat, while he gazed about him 
with an au' of deep satisfaction and content. 

And truly there was much to produce 
that feeling. The early sunlight now flashed 
across the water and covered all things 
with its halo. In the distance were the 



r 





ENCE. 

tant about 
wed their 

port," said 

5ob. " At 
labor, ex- 
jr my way 
)out catch- 
, and how 
he bushes 
I then he 
love, they 
tiosquitoes 
and then 
jp a little 
ur ounces, 
tch. No, 

I is better 
:e frame," 
mself out 
his rod to 
ibout him 
i content. 
» produce 
>w flashed 

II things 
were the 



THE FIRST DAY'S SPORT. 



71 



dark green forests, and here and there 
among the islands, or on the main shore, 

rriing curls of smoke indicated the loc. 
tion of the cottages or summer camps. 1 he 
very air was a tonic ; or, as Jock declared 
^ it seemed to him it was so laden with life 
that he could almost bite it off. 

And all the time the two boats were 
moving slowly and steadily over the water, 
Ethan pulling lightly at the oars and from 
time to time glancing keenly at the Imes, 
which seemed to fade away in the river. 
The calls of the far-away crows or the 
si^ht of a great hawk circling high m the 
he^aveu. above them only increased the wild- 
noss of the scene, and for a time the roar of 
the great city and the sight of its crowded 
streets seemed only like the «^««^^7 "^ 
dream. Even the occupation m which the 
boys were supposed to be engaged seemed 
unreal, and Bob closed his eyes dreamily 
and permitted the rays of the sun to strike 

him full in the face. •„>,;« 

" I aay, Ethan," said Bob, opemng his 

eyes lazily, -lon't you think it hurts the 

fish vou put on those hooks ? 
^^ Hurt 'em? Naw ! Fish hasn't any 

feelin's." 



» If 

fl 



^T;,, 



ill I 



72 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" How do you know that, Ethan ? " 

"They never make no complaint, do 
they ? " 

"Yes, they kick." 

"No, they don't kick. They can't 
kick without legs, can they? They jest 
wiggle." 

" It's all the same. It seems pretty hard 
to put 'em on those hooks." 

" Hard ? Not a bit. It's give an' take 
with a lish. The big fish eat the little 
ones, and the little ones eat the smaller 
fellows. Now it's only gettin' what they 
tried to give, that's all; and they can't 
complain." 

Bob made no reply, and settled back into 
his former lazy attitude. Ethan still rowed 
slowly on, casting occasional glances at the 
lines, which the boys had apparently for- 
gotten. But the fisherman knew what 
was unknown by the others in the boat, 
and that was that they were approa'l' ig a 
shoal, and it was not unlikely that .some- 
thing might happen here of interest to all 
on board. 

Suddenly Bob sat erect in his seat and 
made a frantic grasp at his rod, which had 
almost been torn from his hands. 



ENCE. 



THE FIRST DAY'S SPORT. 



T8 



,n?" 
plaint, do 



hey can't 
They jest 

retty hard 

an' take 
the little 
e smaller 
i^hat they 
hey can't 

back into 
till rowed 
ces at tht' 
3ntly for- 
ew what 
the boat, 
3an1''ig a 
lat some- 
■est to all 

seat and 
hich had 






"Hold on, Ethan," he said quickly. " My 
hook's caught on the bottom." 
'the fisherman smiled, but made no r^ 
a, he baeked water and swung the httle 
boat around in the current. 

"Caught on the bottom, did ye? he m 
quired sharply. "Well, that doesnt look 

much like bottom 1" j t„„t m the 

As he spoke, about a hundred feet m the 

rear o£ the boat a good-sized fish leaped 
llhe surface in the sight of them all 

anTalmost seemed to shake h.mself J a 
dog does when he has been m the wate^ 

"Bass," said Ethan, la^on.cally. Now 
,00k out heow ye play h.m^ Dont P« 
him any slack. _Be careful. Keep yer 

hand on the reel. . 

B is doubtful whether Bob heard any of 
the boatman's directions, for he was aU ex- 
citement now. He »«"«'/? '"f^S 
and gave all his attention to the fish, which 
ana give himself. Again and 

was strugghng to free hmseii. 8 
aaain the tip of the rod was drawn under 
Twat. and the "rip" of the line as It 

ped from the reel was distinctly heard^ 

■ The bass was well hooked, and or a 
time the struggle became most ex0...ng^ 
Again and again Bob brought the Hsh near 




li^&aHa.'taaiaifS- 



74 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWHENCS. 



11 



to the boat, and then, with a dart and 
a rush, away the victim would go, mak- 
ing the reel sing as the line was drawn 
out. 

" Be careful," muttered Ethan. " You'll 
tucker him out pretty quick, an' then we'll 
have him. Give him the line, but don't let 
him have any slack. That's right. Let 
him go," he added, as once more the fish 
darted toward the deeper water. 

Bob steadily held to his task, and when 
he felt that the run of the bass was ended, 
began once more to reel him in toward the 
boat. The fish was evidently tired now, 
and his resistance was much less strong. 
Nearer and nearer the eager boy brought 
him, and soon, peering over the side of the 
boat, could see in the clear water the move- 
ments of the struggling fish. Ethan had 
grasped his landing-net, and was ready for 
the last effort. 

" Bring him up near the boat now," he 
said, "and we' 'e got him. Look sharp, and 
don't give him any slack ! " he added, as 
the fish, perhaps having caught sight of the 
boat, began once more to struggle desper- 
ately. Darting first in one direction and 
then in another he made the line cut deeply 



UNCK. 

dart and 
go, mak- 
as drawn 

" You'll 
then we'll 
b don't let 
ght. Let 
J the fish 

md when 
as ended, 
ward the 
ired now, 
IS strong. 
' brought 
de of the 
;he move- 
than had 
ready for 

now," he 
harp, and 
a,dded, as 
fht of the 
e desper- 
ation and 
ut deeply 



THE FIRST DAY'S SPORT. 



T6 



into the water, while more than once he 

L^aed the rod far beloN, the surface. 
'^:?rookout,nowl Don't give hima^y 
slack! Bring him up alongside called 
Fthan as with his landmg-net m the water 
hfenieavored to thrust it under the strug- 

^'Blt!lsl in his excitement Bob ei^^^^ 

T^ealected the directions given him or was 
2bletcomply,for somehow his gr^^^^^^ 

the reel was removed, the Ime sped out, 
Indwhn the excited lad began to reel in 

TX the tension was suddenly relaxed, 
Td with a quick movement of the boat he 

was thrown back into the chair. 

« He's gone! He's got away! exclaimed 

^'rf 1'' remarked Ethan, as he 
calmly picked up his oars and resumed his 

''Xt he wa. a big fellow !'^ protested 
Bob, " and I had him right up to the boat 

"He was a pretty good one," said Ethan^ 
"but it's a game of 'now you see him 
and now you don't.' It's a good deal of a 
t^k to know how to land a three-pound 
I's. Still, you didn't do so very bad for a 

greenhorn." 



76 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

Bob made no reply as he slowly reeled in 
his line at the boatman's direction. Green- 
horn ! Well, there were some things he did 
not know, although he had spent much time 
in the city. To his mind Ethan, with all 
his good qualities, had been the greenhorn; 
but now the boatman was the one to accuse 
him of the possession of that very quality. 
His respect for Ethan went up instantly, 
and he looked up at him in a new light. 

" You'll soon get the hang o' it," said 
Ethan kindly, as he proceeded to bait Bob's 
hook again. " You did first-rate for a be- 
ginner. The main thing is to look out for 
yer slack. A bass is a fighter, and he'll 
take advantage o' ye every time you give 
him a chance. I think we'll try it again 
around this shoal. One strike may bring 
another." 

"Why do the bass come to the shoals, 
Ethan?" inquired Jock. 

'^That's where the minnies [Ethan meant 
ininnows] are, and they're the ones the bass 
feed on. Now we'll try it again." 

Once more Ethan began to row, and the 
long lines dragged on behind the boat. 
Both boys were all eagerness now, and Bob's 
laziness had departed. They watched and 



* | l .MHH.-t- . 



g i j i ij iiii . ii n,i) i in ii . iii fi i Mi ll . .1 ,. . r ' 



t. 



7B. 

eeled in 
Green- 
s he did 
ich time 
mth. all 
Bnhorn ; 
) accuse 
quality, 
stantly, 
ght. 
t," said 
it Bob's 
)r a be- 
out for 
id he'll 
ou give 
t again 
y bring 

shoals, 

1 meant 
bhe bass 

and the 
e boat, 
d Bob's 
Led and 



TBE FIRST DAY'S SPORT. 



77 



waited for the longed-for " strike, and soon 
To Bob's great delight he felt the tug upon 
his it which indicated that his hook had 
again been seized. ^^ ,^^^^ 

" Now be careful, son, sam Xit".*^ j 
mind you don't give him any slack. 

Mindful of the caution, Bob worked care- 
fulYy and after a time .• ceded in brmgmg 
the firup to the bou .hen Ethan deftly 
tust the landing-net underneath xt^nd 
threw it into the boat, and with a blow 
of a stout hickovy club speedily put an end 

^^^'l\roS:aysdoesthat,''heexplained^ 

« I don't s'pose a fish knows anything about 
it but I don't like to see 'em go ker-flop, 

k;r-^op! BO I puts 'em onto' their misery 

Besides, they re better eatin when ye treat 

'em that way.'j ^^^ 

"This one is a liuie leuuw, 
regretfully, as he gazed at the fish whi-b 
Z. had'been thrown into the fi^h^ox^ 
« The other must have been ten times as 
large as this one. That was a «^onster . ^^ 
"The bic ones 'most always gets away, 
replied Ethan, smilingly. "AnHheygr^w 
mighty fast, too, sometimes. The farther 
away they git the bigger they be. 



'PM*^'^^^'''' '*''■ 




i! (I 



78 DAMPING OV TllK ST. LAWRENCE. 

*' What do you inean ? " 

*'0h. oothin'; but that I've knowed a man 
when ho was out with me to lose a half- 
pound bass, an' by the time he got back to 
the camp or the hotel, that 'ere bass weighed 
a plump five pound. It's marvellous like, 
the way they grow sometimes." 

" Where's the other boat ? " said Jock. 

*'I dunno. We'll let 'em look after 
tliemsihes a bit. We'll try it here again 
afore we leave. It's your turn next to get 
one." 

Eager to continue the sport, the boys once 
more let out their lines, as Ethan began to 
row slowly over the shoal again. 



I* 



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, -"'i Ti Ti in nr' " ' '"" ''*'' " "" 



NCE. 



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3 re agaiij 
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began to 







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(716) 872-4503 




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Series. 



CIHM/ICMH 
Collection de 
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Canadian Institute for Historical l\Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 




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.-UI!!''MWl«i^'. i.:"- 



CHAPTER VII. 

IN GOOSE BAY. 

The success which attended their efforts 
was not great, and after a few more bass 
had been taken, Jock, to his chagrin, not 
having even one strike, Ethan decided to 
leave that ground for another. 

" I think I'll take ye over to Goose Bay," 
he said. " That's where I told Tom to go, 
and probably they're there by this time." ^^ 

"That's historic ground, isn't it, Ethan?" 

inquired Bob. 

" Yes. The British and Yankees had a 
bit of a go round there in the War of 1812. 
I'll show ye jest where it was when we get 

there." 

" How did you know there was a fight 

there. Bob? " said Jock, quickly. 

"'Most everybody knows about that, I 
s'pose," said Ethan, before Bob could reply. 
" Everybody round these parts has heard 
of it." 

79 



80 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

Bob looked up at Jock and winked slowly. 
"Do you remember wbat Oliver Wendell 
Holmes said about every little place he 
went to thinking it was the central spot 
of all the world, and that the axis of the 
earth came straight up through it? He 
went down to a little place named Hull, 
once, and when he came away he said the 
people there were all quoting Pope, though 
they didn't know it, and saying, 'all are 
but parts of one stupendous Hull'! Re- 
member that, Jock ? " 

" Ye needn't be makin' fun o' me," said 
Ethan, sharply. " I guess folks round here 
is as smart as they be anywhere. You city 
people talk about how green country folks 
are when they come to teown, but I don't 
believe they're any greener than city folks 
be when they go into the country." 

" 1 didn't mean that," said Bob, quickly. 
" I was only wondering a little why it was 
that you thought everybody ought to know; 
about Goose Bay, and the time the British 
and our men had here in the War of 1812." 

" Why shouldn't they know about it, I'd 
like to know?" replied Ethan, somewhat 
mollified. "It's hist'ry; an' ye study his- 
t'ry, don't ye ? " 



E. 

slowly. 
Wendell 
ace he 
il spot 
of the 
,? He 
I Hull, 
jiid the 
though 
all are 
! Re- 

)," said 
id here 
ou city 
y folks 
I don't 
iy folks 

[uickly. 
' it was 
o knoAy^ 
British 
1812." 
t it, I'd 
newhat 
idy his- 



m GOOSE BAT. 



81 



" We pretend to ; but Jock here doesn't 
know much about it, you see," said Bob. 

« He'll lam. But I was speakin' about 
the greenness o' city folks in the country. 
Well, they be green. My wife had a time of 
it with the fresh airers only last summer."^^ 
« The ' fresh airers ' ? What are they ? " 
« Don't ye know what they be ? Well, I 
swan, ye're greener 'n I thought. They're 
the boys an' girls the folks pick up off the 
streets in the city and send up into the coun- 
try every summer. We had some last year." 
« Oh, yes, I know. You mean the chil- 
dren sent out by the fresh-air fund." 

" I s'pose I do. We call 'em * fresh airers' 

up here." 

" What did they do ? " inquired Jock. 

« Lots o' things. Two of 'em— we had 
five to our house — was walkin' along the 
road with me the next day after they come, 
an' one little fellow ran up the bank an' 
began to pick some buttercups what was 
growin' there. The other little chap was 
scared like, an' he called out, pretty sharp, 
<Hi, there, Henry! Keep off the grass or 
the cop'U get ye ! ' An' he meant it too." 

"Poor little wretches," said Jock, sym- 
pathizingly. 




82 CAMPISO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" 'Twasn't whether they was wretches or 
not; 'twas their greenness I was thinkin' 
on. We had a lot o' bee-hives out near the 
back door, an' after dinner that same day 
my wife looked out the window an' she see 
that same little chap there with a stick in 
his hand. He'd jest poked one o' the hives 
over, and the bees was fightin' mad. She 
was scared 'most out o' her seven senses, my 
wife was, an' she jest grabbed her sunbunnit 
an' hurried out o' the house an' screamed 
to that young 'un to come on. He didn't 
want to come, an' was layin' about him with 
his stick; but my wife ran out an' grabbed 
him by the hand an' they started up the 
hill ' lickety-whew, yer journey pursue,* an' 
the bees after 'em. They finally made eout 
to get free from 'em, an' then the little 
shaver was for goin' back an' havin' it out 
with 'em. 'Them bugs bit me,' he says, 

says he, ' an' I'm gom' to go back and fight 

> > >» 
em. 

Both the boys laughed heartily at Ethan's 
narrative, and now that his good humor 
was restored, he said, "Wasn't that green- 
ness for ye ? That same little chap was a 
great one, he was. He was tickled to pieces 
to gather the hens' eggs. He'd be out m 



IE. 

ches or 
,hinkin' 
lear the 
me day 
she see 
stick in 
le hives 
i. She 
ises, my 
nbunnit 
jreamed 
e didn't 
im with 
grabbed 
up the 
sue,* an' 
ade eout 
lie little 
a' it out 
he says, 
md fight 

, Ethan's 
1 humor 
it green- 
a,p was a 
to pieces 
e out in 



IN GOOSE BAT. o.i 

the barn an' kep' so close after the hens 
they didn't have a chance to hop onto a 
nest, so that my wife had to tell him that 
he mustn't go out there for the eggs ex- 
cept when she told him he could. ^ He 
teased like a good fellow, an', finally 'bout 
noon the next day she told him he could 
go out an' get the eggs. He was gone a 
long time, an' she kind o' mistrusted some- 
thin' was wrong, so she started out to ' view 
the landscape o'er,' as the tune says; but 
pretty quick she sees him a-comin' out o' 
the barn holdin' his hat in his hand, an' 
lookin' as disconsolate like as if he'd lost 
every friend he ever had or ever expected to 
have on this earth. 'What's the matter, 
sonny ? ' says she, * can't ye find any eggs ? ' 
' Yes,' says he, ' I found two, but they ain't 
no good.' ' What's the trouble ? ' says she. 
' They ain't no good,' says he, again. ' The 
old hen was on the nest, an' when I scart 
her off, the eggs was spoiled,' says he. * I 
guess the's cooked 'em, for they're both 
warm ! ' I'd like to know if any country 
boy could be greener in the city than that 
city boy was in the country ? " 

« I don't believe he could," laughed Jock. 
« That's my opinion, too," said Ethan, 



84 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

soberly. "Why, that there boy was thy 
greenest thmg alive! D'ye know, he 
'lowed he'd never seen a live pig in all 
his born days. What d'ye thmk o' that? 
Yes, sir! never had seen a live pig, an' 
he was a boy ten year old, goin' on 
'leven." 

Ethan's reminiscences were cut short, 
however, for they were now entering Goose 
Bay. Its wooded shores and high bluffs, 
its still waters and little islands, in the 
light of the morning sun, presented a scene 
of marvellous beauty, and both boys were 
much impressed by the sight. In the dis- 
tance they perceived their companions, and 
as soon as they had been seen, Ethan ex- 
claimed, — 

"They're still-fishin'." 

"Still fishing? Of course they are. 
Why shouldn't they be ? " inquired Bob. 

" Ye' re as green as that city boy I was 
tellin' ye of. Still-fishin' is jest fishin' still, 
ye know. Not trollin' the way I'm goin' 
to, but they're anchored, and are havin' a 
try with worms for bait." 

" What do they catch ? " said Bob. 

" I don't know what they're catchin', but 
there's perch there, an' I presume that's 



NCE. 

was thy 
joovf, he 
ig in all 
c o' that? 

pig, an' 
goin' on 

it short, 
ng Goose 
jh bluffs, 
B, in the 
d a scene 
•oys were 
the dis- 
ions, and 
Ithan ex- 



hey are. 
[Bob. 
oy I was 
hin' still, 
'm goin' 
havin' a 

.b. 

;hin', but 
le that's 



IN QOOSE BAT. 



86 



what they're iishin' for. We'll try the 
bass, though, a spell longer." 

Ethan rowed slowly in near the shore, and 
had gone but a short distance before Bob 
felt the welcome tug upon his line, and, 
after a contest of a few minutes, succeeded 
in bringing the struggling fish close to the 
boat, where it was successfully landed by 
the boatman. Bob was doing better now 
and profiting by his mistakes, but Jock had 
not caught a fish since they had started from 

the camp. 
« What's the trouble, Ethan ? Why don t 

I get any?" he said. 

" More'n I can tell ye. Bees won't sting 
some folks and dogs won't bite 'em, either. 
Mebbe it's the same way with fishes." 

Jock's ill-luck still continued, however, 
and although Ethan rowed over the rocky 
shoal for an hour and a half, not a fish did 
the eager lad secure. Bob was rapidly be- 
coming an expert, and already had landed a 
half-dozen large bass, and had lost only 

three. 

« I'll row ye m-shore ei bit," said Ethan, 
dropping his oars and taking a tin cup, with 
which he dipped up some of the water in 
the bay and quenched his thirst. 




86 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCK. 

"What's wrong with this work?" in 
quired Bob. " I'm not finding any fault." 
"Probably not," replied Ethan, dryly. 
" We'll change our tune a spell, and see if 
we can't do somethin' for this other boy." 

Bob uttered no further protest, and Ethan 
at once sent the little skiff swiftly toward 
the shore. As it grounded upon the beach 
he said, " Now you two boys get out an' 
wait for me here. I'll be back pretty quick, 
an' we'll see what can be done." 

The boys obediently leaped ashore and 
then stood for a moment together as they 
watched their boatman. Ethan moved out 
near a low point and, dropping overboard 
his anchor, took a light little rod they had 
noticed in the boat, and began to fish. 
They could see him as he drew several into 
the boat, and then in a few mmutes he came 
for the waiting lads. 

« Wait a minute," he said, as he drew the 
boat up on the beach. "I'm goin' to do 
somethin' else. I'm goin' to have young 
Jock get a fish if such a thing is possible." 
Ethan walked up the shore, and the boys 
could see him as he darted in among the 
rushes, leaping about like a schoolboy. They 
could not perceive what his object was, but 



rcK. 

•k?" in 
fault." 
1, dryly, 
nd see if 
r boy." 
id Ethan 
y toward 
be beach 
out an' 
,ty quick, 

bore and 
[• as they 
lOved out 
)verboard 
they had 
to fish, 
v^eral into 
!S he came 



ly OOOSE BAY. 



87 



! drew the 
)in' to do 
ve young 
possible." 
I the boys 
,mong the 
oy. They 
t was, but 



as they had implicit confidence in his ability, 
they remained contentedly where they were, 
and Ethan soon returned. 

«' There ! " he exclaimed. " Neow if them 
fish don't bite, it won't be because we 
haven't given 'em what they want for dm- 
ner. Get aboard, boys." 

The boys quickly resumed the places 
they had occupied, and their boatman once 
more began to row. " Don't let out yer 
lines yet," he said. "Wait till I'm ready 

for ye." . 

Wondering what plan Ethan had in mmd, 
the boys obeyed, and Ethan soon started 
toward another part of the bay. He glanced 
keenly about him and then peered over into 
the water. Apparently satisfied with his 
inspection, he let the anchor fall, and as the 
skiff swung around before the light wind 
and settled into position, he said, "Let's 
have your lines, boys." 

"We're going to still-fish, are we, Ethan? 

said Jock. 

" I'm thinkin' some on it." 

" What do we catch here ? " inquired Bob. 

« That depends. Some folks catches one 
thing and some another, an' sometimes they 
doesn't catch anything at all." 




88 cA^fPIsa on the st. lawhence. 

" Why do you put such a fish as that on 
my hook?" exclaimed Jock, aghast. 

Ethan had taken a fish, a "chub," he 
termed it, which must have weighed a full 
half pound at least, and baited Jock's hook 
with it. 

"To catch fish with," remarked Ethan, 
laconically, as, after inspecting the strug- 
gling bait, he threw it overboard. " Now 
let him take your line and go where he 
wants to. Not too fast. Go easy, like," he 
added, as he turned to equip Bob in a simi- 
lar manner. 

"Ethan thinks we're after alligators or 
whales," said Bob, as his own line began to 
run out. " Oh, well, we'll have the fun of 
sitting out here on the water if we don't 
get a strike," he added, settling back in his 
comfortable chair. 

Indeed it did seem as if no fish in the St. 
Lawrence would be attracted by such a bait 
as that which the boatman had provided. 
Neither of the boys really expected any 
result, but they were not inclined to protest. 

The scene about them was the reflection 
of that within. A perfect summer day, with 
woods in the distance, and a silence inter- 
rupted only by the harsh cawing of the 



,1 



that oa 

ub," he 
!(! a full 
c's hook 

Ethan, 
e strug- 

"Now 
here he 
like," he 
1 a simi- 

ators or 
began to 
le fun of 
we don't 
sk in his 

n the St. 
ch a bait 
provided, 
ited any 
) protest, 
reflection 
lay, with 
ice inter- 
5 of the 



1 






IN aOOSE BAY. W 

crows. The beautiful water glistening in 
the sunlight, and the gentle motion of the 
skiff as it slowly turned with the slightly 
changing breeze, increased the sense of abso- 
lute peacefulness. The roar of the city 
seemed like something unreal and some- 
thing which they never had actually heard. 
Neither of the boys spoke for a time, and 
Bob closed his eyes as he leaned back in his 
seat. Ethan also was silent, but his keen 
eyes were seldom taken from the lines. 

" Your bait seems to be goin' up-stream," 
he said in a low voice to Jock. 

Instantly the lad sat erect and looked 
eagerly at his line. It did seem to be mov- 
ing through the water, but as yet he had 
felt no tug, and could hardly believe it 
was anything more than the motion of the 
" chub." 

"Is it a fish, Ethan?" he exclaimed 
excitedly. 

" Looks like it." 

" Shall I reel him in ? " he mquired, as 
he started to rise from his chair. 

" No, no ! " replied Ethan, quickly. " Let 
him get the bait. If he swallows it for 
good and all, you'll have him." 

All in the boat were now following the 



hA'.' 



90 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

movements of Jock's line. The lad had 
reeled out more, and still it was steadily 
moving away. For two full minutes the 
excitement continued, and then Ethan 
said: — 

" Reel in now, a bit. Do it gently, and 
don't skeer him. Want me to take the 
rod?" 

" No! " exclaimed Jock, decidedly. "I'll 
win or lose him myself." 

Slowly he turned the reel, gazing eagerly 
all the time at his line in the water, but as 
yet he had felt no response. 

Suddenly there was a yank which pJmost 
took the rod from his hand, and which made 
the reel sing as the line was drawn from it. 

" Let him go ! Let him go ! Ye'll have 
to tucker him eout ! " exclaimed Ethan. 
"I'm thinkin' he felt somethin' prick his 
he,i,rt." 

" Shall I stand up ? " said Jock, in in- 
creasing excitement. 

" No, ye'll be overboard if ye do. Now, 
keerful! Reel him in when ye can, and 
when he wants to take the bit in his teeth 
lethungo. There! That's the way ! That's 
the way to do it ! " 

Jock was enjoying the contest hugely. 



WE. 



lad had 

steadily 

utes the 

Ethan 




itly, and 
^ke the 

jr. "I'll 

\ eagerly 
r, but as 

b dilmost 
ch made 
from it. 
i'll have 
Ethan, 
irick his 

c, in in- 

I. Now, 
;an, and 
his teeth 
! That's 

hugely. 



IN GOOSE BAT. 



91 



He would reel in a few yards, and then with 
a savage plunge the fish would dart away 
again, only to have the measure repeated. 
Five minutes, ten minutes, passed, and still 
the contest was not ended, nor had Jock 
had one glimpse of the fish he had hooked. 
From its struggles and the manner in which 
it pulled, the excited lad thought he must 
have caught a monster of some kind. 

He was reeling in steadily now, and peer- 
ing at the same time over into the water. 
Suddenly he caught sight of a huge body 
near the boat and knew that it must be his 
victim ; but the glance was only for a mo- 
ment, for with another desperate plunge the 
fish darted away again and the reel repeated 

its song. 

'' He's gettin' tuckered out," said Ethan. 
" Now don't give him any slack, and look 
out for your rod, or he'll snap it in a minit. 
Keep a steady hand this time, an' I'll see 
what I can do with the gaff." 

Jock had no idea of what a " gaff " waa, 
but he gave it little thought, whatever it 
might be. The fish was coming steadily 
this time, and once more the eager boy could 
see him in the water. 

" Now be keerful ! Bring him up along- 




92 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

Bide the boat. There! That's right!" said 
Ethan, in a low voice. 

"What a beauty!" exclaimed the de- 
lighted Jock. 

" Keep still, or ye'll scare him," warned 
Ethan. 

But the fish was within reach now, and 
the boatman leaned forward, and with a 
quick thrust of his gaff drove it into the 
body. There was a splash of water, the 
light skiff rocked until the boys were al- 
most thrown from their seats, and then they 
instantly recovered themselves and turned 
to see the result of Ethan's effort. 



""WW. 



''^a ap*' ^' 



NCE. 

it!" said 

the de- 

" warned 

now, and 
d with a 

into the 
^ater, the 

were al- 
then they 
id turned 



CHAPTER Vin. 

JOCK HAS HIS TURN. 

There was a commotion on board which 
seemed to threaten the safety of all. The 
huge fish was throwing himself from side to 
side, but Ethan was equal to the emergency, 
and with his merciful hickory club soon put 
an end to the struggle. 

" Whe-e-w ! " exclaimed Jock, in delight. 
"Isn't he a beauty!" 

« That depends," said Ethan, laconically. 
" I don't believe that chub thought he was 
specially pretty, when he saw this fellow get 

after him." 

« He seems to have a remarkably open 
countenance," drawled Bob, as he pried open 
the great mouth with the end of his rod. 

« 'Tis something of a mouth the pickerel 
has, for a fact," said Ethan. "D'ye see how 
the teeth are all set the wrong way?" 

The two boys eagerly examined their prize. 
The mo Hied sides still glistened and the beau- 
tiful markings were all clear; but the mouth, 



Binwtt^^ntcT', 



94 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



as the boatman had said, was enough to 
strike terror to all iBshes of lesser degree. 

" Not much chance for a chub if thai, trap 
once shuts to on him," said Ethan. " If he 
tries to back out, he only drives the teeth 
in farther." 

" How much will he weigh, Ethan ? " in- 
quired Jock. 

" Oh, seven or eight pounds. It's a pretty 
fair pickerel." 

Jock was disappointed. To him it had 
seemed as if the pickerel must have weighed 
much more than that. His disappointment 
was still further increased when Ethan added, 
" They ain't much good for eatin'. Oh, ye 
can eat 'em if ye want to, an' some folks 
like 'em first-rate, but give me a bass every 
t^me. 

' That's the reason I caught bass," 
drawled Bob. " It's a shame to pull out 
a picktrel when you don't want him." 

"Pit} about you," laughed Jock. "I 
don't caie about fooling with little bass that 
aren't bi^: enough to leave their mothers. 
When I citch a fish I want to get one large 
enough '.o know what he's doing. Hello," 
he sud ienly added, " there comes the other 
boat. I wonder what luck they've had." 



^NCE. 



JOCK HAS HIS TURN. 



95 



enough to 

degree, 
f thai; trap 
L " If he 

the teeth 

lan?" ill- 
's a pretty 

im it had 
e weighed 
pointment 
lan added, 
■ Oh, ye 
ome folks 
)ass every 

it bass," 

► pull out 

im." 

^ock. " I 
bass that 
mothers. 

one large 
Hello," 

the other 

e had." 



The other skiff was now swiftly approach- 
ing, as Jock had said, and in a few minutes 
it came alongside. Long before it was near 
enough for his voice to be heard, Jock ex- 
ultingly held up to view the immense fish 
he had captured, and when his friends came 
closer, great was their astonishment and 
many their words of praise. 

" We'll go ashore for dinner now," said 
Ethan, after the prize had been examined. 
" Ye' re ready to stop a bit, aren't ye ? " 

"We are," shouted the boys together; 
and side by side the two skiffs moved tow- 
ard the shore. 

Before the boys landed they discovered 
that near the place to which evidently 
Ethan was going were the ruins of some 
building which plainly had been a large one. 
The boatman explained that a hotel had 
stood there at one time, but it had been 
burned, and never had been rebuilt. 

As the boys leape^' ashore they all ^-^gerly 
examined the catch which Tom's boat had 
made. There were several bass and a fish 
which strongly resembled the pickerel which 
Jock had caught, though it was much smaller. 
" They've got a pickerel, too," said Jock, 
as he discovered the fish. 



m 

S; il' 



:lli 






96 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" That isn't any pickerel," remarked Tom. 

"What is it, then? It looks just like 
one," said Jock. 

" It's a muscalonge. It's a little fellow, 
and the first one I've seen this year." 

" Ye ought not to have saved him, Tom," 
remonstrated Ethan. " If you'd let him go, 
he might 'a' growed big enough to amount 
to somethin'." 

" I thought of it, but I didn't know what 
luck you were having, and I knew we'd 
want some fish for dinner, so I let him 
stay." 

" If they're beginnin' to run, mebbe we'll 
strike one some day that's o' decent size. 
Jock, if ye ever get a muscalonge what 
weighs forty pound on the end o' yer line, 
ye'll find out that catchin' pickerel's boys' 
play alongside o' it." 

"Do you really think we'll get one?" 
said Jock, eagerly. 

"Can't tell. Like enough ye will, an* 
jest as likely ye won't. Out with ye now, 
the whole kit and posse o' ye," he added, 
and the boys turned toward the grove of 
maples which grew near the shore. 

"This is what I call great fun!" ex- 
claimed Ben, as he threw his long body 



■■rfiT' '■■" 



■■*^Mr 



ed Tom. 
just like 

3 fellow, 
r." 

1, Tom," 

t him go, 

amount 

ow what 

3W we'd 

let him 

bbe we'll 
lent size, 
ge what 
yer line, 
<sVb boys' 

it one?" 

will, an* 
I ye now, 
le added, 
grove of 

Lin!" ex- 
3ng body 



JOCK HAS UI8 TURN. 



97 



on the grass. "I think I could almost 
make up poetry if I was to stay here long 
enough." 

"Your face looks as if it was burning 
with poetic fire," drawled Bob. 

" It can't look worse than yours," replied 
Ben, as he placed his hands on his cheeks. 

Indeed, all four of the boys presented a 
similar appearance, for the elBEect of the 
rays of the sun reflected from the water 
had made all their faces of a decidedly brill- 
iant hue. Jock tried to comfort them by 
explaining that that vas what was to be ex- 
pected, and that more marked results than 
these were likely to be attained before their 
stay in camp was over. But for the present 
the boys were content as they lay beneath 
the grateful shade of the spreading maples. 
In the distance was the glorious St. Law- 
rence, and an occasional whistle indicated 
that yachts were speeding over its course, 
or that the river boats were passing. Other 
skiffs had now entered Goose Bay, and as 
they moved slowly over the shoals or an- 
chored near the " weeds," it became evident 
that its waters were well known before the 
coming of our boys. 

It was now noon time, and the leaves 



98 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAn'RENCE. 

upon the trees were hardly moved by p 
breeze ; out on the bay the sun was beating, 
and the quivering motions of the air under 
the influence of the summer heat could be 
distinctly seen. In the distance the calls of 
the crows could be heard, but otherwise the 
quiet of the day was unbroken. On every 
side was the solitude, and as one of the boys 
expressed it, ' they could almost hear the 
silence.' 

Yet the impression produced by it all 
was as strong as it was novel. The strug- 
gle for existence, the life of the city, the 
rumble and indefinable roar of the town, 
were all forgotten for the time. Here, at 
least, was peace, and the reluctance of Ethan 
to leave his home by the great river, or de- 
part from the comradeship of the St. Law- 
rence, could be readily understood. All 
four of the boys felt the influence of the 
scene, and after a few minutes the laughter 
and conversation ceased, and the young fish- 
ermen were as silent as the silent trees 
above them. 

Their revery was soon interrupted by the 
call of Ethan for them to come to dinner, 
and with a shout the boys leaped to their 
feet and ran to the place where the dinner 




u 



WE. 

ed by ? 

beating, 
lir under 

could be 
le calls of 
rwise the 
On every 

the boys 
hear the 

ay it all 

'he strug- 

city, the 

;he town, 

Here, at 
! of Ethan 
rer, or de- 

St. Law- 
)od. All 
ce of the 
i laughter 
oung fish- 
ient trees 

bed by the 
bo dinner, 
i to their 
he dinner 



JOCK HAS HIS TURN. 



99 



had been prepared. The sight which met 
their eyes was one which might have done 
even an epicure good. Both the fishermen 
had been busy, and the results of their lar 
bors were now manifest. A fire had been 
kindled near the shore, and over it had been 
placed a contrivance with which nearly every 
fisherman on the St. Lawrence was provided. 
A frying-pan and pot had been used, in the 
former of which small pieces of salt pork 
and some of the recently caught fish had 
been cooked, and in the latter were green 
corn and potatoes. Coffee, also, had been 
made, and when the boys seated themselves 
upon the bank they perceived that Ethan 
had brought other dainties from his home. 
Huge "doughnuts," and cookies of ample 
size, as well as pickles and various other 
dainties, were there. A large can filled with 
milk was also placed upon the improvised 
table, and altogether the " spread," as Bert 
termed it, was most mviting. 

"Where did you get all these things?" 
exclaimed the delighted Bob. 

" Brought 'em with me in the skiff." 
" Is that what you do, every day you go 

fishing ? " 

" 'Most always, when I take out city folks. 



100 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAyVRENCE. 

I think they like the dinner we cook about 
as well as they do the fishin' itself. 'Long 
about noon time we usually land and cook 
the dinner. Every boat has a lay-out some- 
thin' like ours, though I don't say every one 
is as good as this," he continued, with par- 
donable pride. 

" I should say not," replied Ben, as the 
boys all fell to with a will. 

For a time scarcely a word was spoken, 
so busy were they all in the occupation 
upon which they were engaged. Ethan still 
remained by the lire, and from time to time 
brought pieces of the sputtering pork, which 
somehow seemed to disappear almost as 
rapidly as they came. 

"What kind of meat did you say this 
is?" inquired Bob, as distinctly as one 
could pronounce the words when his mouth 
was filled with the article in question, and 
at the same time leaning forward to make 
sure that the last piece on the plate should 
not be wasted. 

« Salt pork." 

" I never tasted of it before." 

"Go 'long," said Ethan, incredulously. 
" Ye don't really mean it, do ye ? " 

"Yes, I do mean it," replied Bob. " It's 



k about 
'Long 
nd cook 
it some- 
irery one 
ith par- 

i, as the 

spoken, 
cupation 
rhan still 
! to time 
k, which 
,most as 

say this 
as one 
is mouth 
Aon, and 
to make 
e should 



JOCK HAS ma TURN. 



101 



iulously. 



3. " It's 



my first experience; and my only hope is 
that it won't be ray last." 

" If you don't stop before long it'll be 
your last, I'm sure," interrupted Ben, him- 
self as deeply engrossed' in the occupation 

as was Bob. 

"Well," said Ethan, "I wouldn't 'a be- 
lieved that ye never eat any fried salt 
pork afore. Why, everybody eats it." 

" I don't wonder," murmured Bob, as he 
dexterously flung a corn-cob, which had 
now served its full duty, at a tree in the 

distance. 

"I'm afraid Ethan doesn't think we 
know much," said Jock. " He's been tell- 
ing us this morning about the greenness of 
city people when they're in the .country. 
I'm inclined toh.think he's right, too." 

" Well, they be green," protested Ethan, 
sturdily. " I had a young fellow from Bos^ 
ting up here last year, what I rowed for, 
an' if ye believe me, he didn't actually know 
how many teeth a cow had on her upper 
jaw. No, sir, he didn't for a fact ; an' he 
was in college, too. Mebbe ye don't be- 
lieve me, but it's true as yer life, what I'm 

tellin' ye." 

There was a twinkle m Ethan's eyes as 



102 CAMPING ON TUK ST. LAWHK.WCK. 



he spoke, which was not lost upon our boys, 
who were looking somewhat foolishly at 
one another. Perhaps they were fearful 
that the question would be brought home 
to tliem. 

Their anxiety was relieved when Jock 
spoke up quickly, and said, "Tell us, 
Ethan. How many teeth does a cow have 
on her upper jaw ? I don't know ; I don't, 
for a fact." 

" Thank you ! You have expressed my 
feelings exactly," said Bert, partly rising 
from his seat, and bowing in mock honor at 
Jock. 

"She has all she needs, I'm thinkin'," 
said Ethan. "If ye don't know, I shan't 
tell ye. I understand all four o' you boys 
are goin' to college, an' when ye get there 
I'm thinkin' some o' those Latin or Greek 
books'U tell ye all about it." 

At last the dinner apparently was fin- 
ished, and with a sigh Bob rose from his 
seat. 

" This has been a great treat, Ethan," he 
said. " If Delmonico or the Waldorf-Astoria 
can do better, I've yet to learn it." 

" There's one thing they can't furnish," 
said Ethan. 



i? "h"" 



n our boys, 
oolishly at 
ere fearful 
)ught home 

when Jock 

"Tell us, 

a, cow have 

w ; I don't, 

pressed my 
irtly rising 
ck honor at 

thinkin'," 
y, I shan't 
o' you boys 
re get there 
n or Greek 

ly was fin- 
se from his 

Ethan," he 

lorf-Astoria 

it." 

't furnish," 



JO(K HAS Hia TURN. 



108 



« Whftt's that ? " 

" The appotite. It takes this river and 
the air to fumisli tliat." 

" That's so ; though 1 hadn't thought of 

it." 

« Hold on," said Ethan, quickly. " We 
aren't done yet. Tom, you go down to my 
skiff an' bring up those pies an' things m 
the box under the back seat. Be quick, 
lad, or the appetite'll get away from these 

boys." 

"Poison things? What do you mean, 
Ethan ? " laughed Bob. " Aren't you satis- 
fied with feeding us in this way? Don't 
you want the trouble of rowing us back to 

«I didn't say nothin' about /poison 
things,'" replied Ethan, gruffly. "I was 
talkin' about pies. Ye know what pie is, 

don't ye?" 

"I do that," replied Bob. "Its some- 
thing I have never had enough of yet." 

« I should think ye ought to pt enough, 
if ye have it three times a day." 

« Three times a day ! I never have it 
but once, and then in small doses." 

" Sho ! I know better. All folks always 
have it reg'lar three times a day. Why, I 



^ 



104 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

shouldn't feel as if I'd had my breakfast if 
I hadn't had a piece o' pie and a doughnut 
along with it." 

" Ethan," said Bob, soberly, " do you 
take summer rwarders at your house ? " 

"No, I don't. We did take some one 
time, but we'll never do it again." 

"Why not?" 

" Why, do you know," said Ethan, in a 
low voice, as if he was imparting a secret, 
" some o' those folks bothered us dreadful. 
Yes, sir ; they did, for a fact. There was 
one o' the men we couldn't get eout o' bed 
before six o'clock in the mornin'. What 
d'ye think o' that ? Yes, sir, he'd actually 
lie in bed till six o'clock in the mornin' I 
But we must get out o' this if we're to do 
any more fishin' to-day. Come, Tom, help 
me clear away these dishes." 

That task was speedily accomplished, and 
then the sport was resumed. A fair degree 
of success attended their efforts, and as the 
sun began to sink low in the western sky. 
Goose Bay was abandoned for the time be- 
ing, and the two skiffs were headed for the 
camp on Pine Tree Island. 



s^'r- 



ib 



HENCE. 



breakfast if 
I doughnut 

, " do you 
ouse ? " 
) some one 
in. 

Sthan, in a 
ig a secret, 
s dreadful. 
There was 
eout o' bed 
in'. What 
}'d actually 
e mornin' ! 
we're to do 
, Tom, help 

slished, and 
fair degree 
and as the 
estern sky, 
he time be- 
aded for the 



CHAPTER IX. 

ANCIENT HISTORY. 

It was supper time when the boys ar- 
rived in camp, and Ethan and his son at 
once prepared the evening meal. Strange 
as it may seem to be, the appetites of the 
campers were almost as keen as they had 
been for the dinner at Goose Bay, and a 
full hour had elapsed before they rose from 

the table. 

As soon as the remains of the feast had 
been cleared away, that is, if dishes can be 
called " remains," for little else was left by 
the hungry lads, Ethan and Tom prepared 
to depart for home, promising to be back in 
camp in time for breakfast. 

"You won't forget what I told you, 
Ethan," called Jock, as the men were 
about to set sail. 

"No. I'll go over to the bay [Alex- 
andria Bay, Ethan meant] and stop on my 
way home. I'll fix you out tomorrow 



mornin sure. 



106 



106 



CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



m H 



"What conspiracy are you up to now, 
Jock ? " inquired Bert. 

"That's a secret," replied Jock, ]augh- 
ingly. " If it's a good day to-morrow you'll 
know all about it. You'll like it, too. I'm 
sure you will ; and it'll leave even the fishmg 
we've had to-day away behind." 

"What is it?" persisted Bert. "More 
fishing?" 

" No. You've had enough of that for one 
day, I should judge by the looks of your 
face. It'll peel in a day or two." 

" I can stand it to have a layer or two 
drop off. But what is it you and Ethan 
are going to do to-morrow?" 

" Sufficient unto the day is the question 
thereof," answered Jock. "I shan't tell 
you, Bert. It's to be a surprise." 

" Come up here, you fellows," called Bob 
from the bank. « We want your valuable 
assistance. My little body is aweary." 

"Since when?" called Jock, as he and 
his companions started back to camp. 

"Since I've been trying to roll these 
logs mto position. Lend a hand, you two. 
I'm not equal to the task." 

The boys all began to labor now, and 
soon had a great pile of logs in the fire- 



\ENCE. 

p to now, 

ck, laugh- 
row you'll 
, too. I'm 
the fishing 

. " More 

tat for one 
s of your 

^er or two 
nd Ethan 

! question 
tan't tell 

ailed Bob 
valuable 
<ry." 

3 he and 
np. 

oil these 
you two. 

low, and 
the fire- 





.. The fire roared, and the flames leaped higher." - J'ag^ loy- 



I ; 




I., 



AsciEKT uisroRr. 



107 



place in front of the camp, under these «,me 
kindlings were placed, and as soon as all 
thCwere in readiness. Bob took a match 
J *,rfpd a fire The flames were soon 
rli^Tnto thfair and cast their beams 
to out over the river. The boys then 
tow themselves upon the ground m 
talof the bteing logs, and for a time 

""C fil'roared, and the flames l»ped 
higher into the air. All about them .t was 
Ts Lht as day, and the scene wa* mde- 

^s^rilty weird. The 8^-* "-J^t 
onward in it* course, and its waters re 
TelTthe light of the blazing c^^fi- 

The branches of the tall trees ra the rear oi 
the cU swayed before the mght wmd 

and increased the wildness of ^^ J^^^ 
C could be seen circling about .n the a.r, 
^liZy were startled and confused by 

I strange light. ^-^ *Toft ^"J 
the faint and indistinct sounds "J.^ P^''( 
of young people out for an evenmg a.l 

Atogether the experi»- -^ «» ""^ . '^ 
° „n ;«iT»rPS'^ed bv it, but it was 

tViP bovs were all impresseu uj i^, 
tp^sile for them long to remam silent, 

and Bob was the first to speak. - 
" rve been thinking about the history ot 



108 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Goose Bay. It is an historical spot, you 
know, boys, just as Ethan said it was." 

" Suppose you tell us about it, then," said 
Ben, whose long form had hardly stirred 
since the fire had been kindled. 

"That's just what I was intending to do," 
replied Bob. 

"It'll be a good lullaby," drawled Ben. 
" If you hear any sound that leads you to 
suspect that I have fallen asleep, please 
don't blame me. I always go to sleep when 
I try to read history." 

"As long as there are live coals here, 
you'd better not go to sleep," warned Bob. 
" I'll serve you worse than the tithing-men 
used to serve the old farmers who went to 
sleep during the sermon." 

"Oh, no, you won't. It won't be my 
fault if you put me to sleep. Did you ever 
hear what Henry Ward Beecher said about 
the tithing-man and his pole?" 

" No. What did he say ? " 

"He said if he saw anybody going to 
sleep when he was speaking, he didn't want 
any tithing-man .to come around with his 
stick and stir the man up, but he wanted him 
to take his stick and stir him up, for it was 
his fault if he let a man go to sleep. See ? " 



"»*#iF»TSI^l''ff 



CNCE. 

spot, you 
was." 
hen," said 
lly stirred 

ing to do," 

wled Ben. 
ids you to 
ep, please 
jleep when 

;oals here, 
irned Bob. 
ithing-men 
10 went to 

I't be my 
d you ever 
said about 



7 going to 
iidn't want 
i with his 
vanted him 
, for it was 
3p. See?" 



ANCIENT HISTORY. 



109 



.Yes," replied Bob. "I'lldomybes. 
Listen, then, my children, and you shall 

hear the wonderful tale of Goose Bay. _ 
« I knew a goose had a tail, but I didn t 
know Goose Bay had a tail." 
''""well, it has," replied Bob, as he pre- 
tended to kick a live coal toward the 
^:cker. "This is the ule of Goose Bay^ 
Many years ago, away hack m 1813, the 
British and Americans were at wa. I 
know just how much you know about that, 

^ai'^drierr^-rur beginning 

*''i^^:"rum:d^B:b,"itwasabo„tthe 
„iddTe o£ July in that year^ Our fo^es 
were over at Sackett's Harbor, but they 
weren't having much e«itement, so rt waa 
Sed to at out an ex^dition and come 

around the lake to Cape Vmcent and then 
Ton a cruise down the St. Lawrence, seek- 
ing whom they might devour. 

^'I thought it wa8 a lion, a ro-a-a-nng 
lion that did that," interrupted Bert. 

" So it is sometimes." 

"But wasn't it the British lion you were 

telling about? Now I could understond 
tow a'lion, a real genuine British hon, m,ght 



il- 



110 CAMPING Oy THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

go roaring around, but when the eagle, the 
genuine American eagle, starts out on an 
expedition, I never thought of him as 
' roaring.* "What is a roaring eagle, Bob ? 
Any relation to a soaring lion ? " 

" Oh, hold on, Bert, give Bob a chance to 
tell his story," said Jock. 

"Story? Story? What more of a 'story' 
do you want than that? The American 
eagle going down the St. Lawrence roaring 
and seeking whom he might devour. Is 
that where < Goose' Bay got its name, 
Bob?" 

"As I was saying, when I was inter- 
rupted by this infant crying in the night," 
resumed Bob, disdainfully, " the expedition 
was partly national and partly individual, 
that is to say, it was a privateering trip 
with government backing. The man who 
fitted it out was named Gilbert, I believe." 

" A kind of patriot for revenue only ? " 
inquired Ben, blandly. 

" Precisely. Well, they had two gun- 
boats, the Neptune and Fox, and about 
forty-five or fifty men. They stopped at 
Cape Vincent and Clayton, or French Creek 
as they used to call the place then, and 
then kept on their way rejoicing, until they 



'I 



INCE. 

eagle, the 

ut on an 

him as 

gle, Bob ? 

chance to 

fa 'story' 
American 
36 roaring 
ivour. Is 
its name, 

v^as inter- 
le night," 
expedition 
ndividual, 
iring trip 
man who 
[ believe." 
le only?" 

two gun- 
nd about 
topped at 
nch Creek 
then, and 
until they 



ANCIENT HISTORY. 



HI 



came to Goose Bay. There they landed 
and had a parade." . 

uWhat did they parade for?" mqu.red 

°«No"one knows, or at least I don't. 
What do they ever parade for ? " 

"For to show brass buttons and for to 

delight the ladies and small boys. I used 

to think a drum-major was a bigger man 

than the President," replied Ben quickly. 

" After they had landed and paraded, 

they — " . J T> 

« Went fishing ? " inquired Ben. 

"They sent a few men down toward 
Ogdensburg to spy out the land.'' 

« Weren't they roaring and seekmg whom 
they might devour this time?" ^ 

"Keep still, Ben, I want to hear about 

this," said Jock. 

"The next afternoon two men, their 
names were Baldwin and Campbell - 

"Good names!" interrupted Ben, agam. 

"-came back and reported that a gun- 
boat and fifteen loaded bateaux were com- 
ing up the river. The gunboat was the 

^^"^haVs a good name, too," remarked 
Ben. . 



112 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 



u 



"At once there was great excitement 
among the American men. They arranged 
a force to cut off all retreat, and then 
started for the enemy. Before they fairly 
knew it they were all taken." 

"Who?" 

" The British," replied Bob. 

« Were they dead ? Did they like it ? " 

" Then the Americans landed at Goose 
Bay. Oh, I forgot to say that not a shot 
was fired in the attack on the bateaux and 
the Spit/ire." 

" That's tho way to fight," drawled Ben. 
" That would suit me exactly. If I could 
parade and then go out and call names, and 
then march back in triumph with the 
haughty foe in chains, I'd like to be a 
soldier. I wonder why I wasn't bom into 
tliis world in my proper age." 

"Of course our troops were highly 
elated," resumed Bob, " for the Spitfire was 
armed with a twelve-pound carronade and 
fourteen men, and in the bateaux were two 
hundred and seventy barrels of pork and as 
many bags of pilot bread." 

"Was that where Ethan got the pork 
we had for dinner to-day ? " inquired Bert, 
innocently. 



RENCE. 



ANCIENT HISTORY. 



lit 



excitement 
ey arranged 
, and then 
! they fairly 



Mike it?" 
id at Goose 
not a shot 
)ateaux and 

:awled Ben. 
If I could 
names, and 
1 with the 
ke to be a 
t bom into 

ere highly 
Spitfire y^^ 
Tonade and 
IX were two 
pork and as 

)t the pork 
quired Bert, 



Not deigning to reply or to notice the 
laugh which arose at Bert's words, Bob 
resumed. " The Americans sent sixty-nme 
prisoners across the country to Sackett's 
Harbor, and then with the others they 
waited for the enemy to come." 

« Why did they wait ? What did they 
want them to come for? I should think 
they'd all have gone 'cross lots to Sackett's 
Harbor," said Jock. 

« They wanted to save the gunboat and 
supplies. The next morning about sunrise 
the bold and brave foe, to the number of 
two hundred and fifty, hove in sight. They 
had four gunboats and two transports and 
were evidently ready for the fray. • Our 
men had been stationed in detachments 
along the shore, and soon the action was 
begun. ' They fit all day and they fit all 
night,' as the poet says, though I don't 
know whether that's history or not; but 
two of the gunboats had soon been so 
injured by our fire that they had to stuff 
the holes the shot made with weeds to keep 
them from sinking." ^ 

" Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! " groaned Ben, sittmg 
quickly erect, "I have lived long in this 
weary world of woe, but that's the worst I 



114 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



( . 



ever heard yet. A British gunboat stuffing 
the holes in its sides with weeds ! There's 
an insane asyhun down at Ogdensburg, and 
either you or I must go there." 

" It is a pretty big story, but that's what 
the book says," protested Bob. 

" Go on ! go on ! " said Ben, eagerly. 
" After the British had stuffed the gaping 
wounds with seaweed, and our brave and 
determined lads, with a fresh supply of 
spitballs and slingshots — go on ! go on ! " 

" The next morning the redcoats wanted 
to call it quits, or rather they sent a flag 
and a demand for our men to surrender 
* to save the effusion of blood.' The proud 
foe was sternly repulsed, and the firing was 
resumed. It seems all they had expected 
was to gain time. Trees had been felled 
across the creek, — Cranberry Creek they 
called it, I believe, — but the foe managed 
to get away. They were said to have lost 
a good many men." 

" Did our side lose any ? " inquired Bob. 

" Three. But reinforcements soon came, 
and after the boats had been patch**'' up 
they started up the river again, bound for 
Sackett's Harbor. Off Tibbet's Point they 
fell in with the Earl of Moira, which chased 



v^-v 



VRENCE. 

boat stuffing 
la ! There's 
ensburg, and 

; that's what 

•en, eagerly. 

the gaping 
r brave and 
1 supply of 
)n ! go on ! " 
3oats wanted 
7 sent a flag 
to surrender 

The proud 
le firing was 
lad expected 
. been felled 

Creek they 
foe managed 
to have lost 

quired Bob. 
s soon came, 
patch**'' up 
n, bound for 
>, Point they 
irhich chased 



ANCIENT HISTORY. 



iir) 



them, and finally to get away they had 
to sink the gunboat they had taken and the 
most of the bateaux, so that the expedi- 
tion came out about even." 

« Bob," demanded Bert, once more sittmg 
erect, " the next time hadn't you just as 
soon tell us a true story ? " 

"That's true. I read it in the old 

histories." , 

" Do you know any more as ' true as 

that?" , _^ 

« Yes. I've been reading up on the fet. 
Lawrence. I wanted to know something 
about the region laefore I came down here. 
I don't believe you know anything about 
Cartier, or Frontenac, or any of the early 
discoverers." 

"Carter? Who's Carter? demanded 

Ben. ., ^ X- 

"I didn't say Carter. I said Cartier. 

He's the discoverer of the St. Lawrence." 

" He was, was he ? Well, he's the man 

for me. Just think of it, fellows, we'd 

never be camping here if this place hadn't 

been discovered. I move you," he added, 

« that the professor be invited to resume 

his falsehoods to-morrow evening, and that 

whenever we are seated before the embers 



Z^.'., — I- 



116 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

of our glowing campfire, or can't get asleep 
nights, that he soothe us with his fairy 
tales." 

The boys laughingly agreed to the pro- 
posal, and as they rose, Ben said, " I feel a 
craving in the inner man. Any of you 
got a 'crave' too?" 

All four declared they were in suffering 
need of food, and at once began to prepare 
another supper. When their labors were 
ended, however, the results were far from 
satisfactory. Somehow the fish did not 
tempt them, and when Jock opened the 
coffee-pot he exclaimed : " I thought coffee 
was a liquid, fellows. Look at this, will 
you?" 

With his fork he lifted from the interior 
of the pot long, stringy substances, which 
certainly were not inviting to the sight. 

" What do you suppose is the trouble ?" 
said Ben. "There must he something 
wrong with the coffee. Do you suppose 
it's poison ? " 

"I don't know. I'll leave it and ask 
Ethan in the morning," said Bob. « He'll 
know all about it." 

However, the boys discovered the pies 
and other viands the boatmen had left in 



■-S- 



L- 



VRENCE. 

n't get asleep 
ith his fairy 

to the pro- 
id, " I feel a 
Any of you 

in suffering 
m to prepare 

labors were 
*e far from 
Ssh did not 

opened the 
ought coffee 
at this, will 



ANCIENT HISTORY. 



117 



camp, " pies'n things " Bert termed them, 
mimicking Ethan's dialect, and their imme- 
diate wants had, to all appearances, been 
satisfied when they sought their cots. 

So tired were they that even the question 
of what Jock and Ethan had prepared for 
the morrow was soon forgotten, and the 
smouldering camp-fire burned low and lower, 
while the boys slept the sleep which can 
only be gained within the sound of the 
music of the mighty river. 



the interior 
ances, which 
he sight, 
le trouble?" 
! something 
you suppose 

it and ask 
)b. "He'll 

ed the pies 
had left in 




wawM * " 



_^-r- 



CHAPTER X. 

TOM SURPRISES THE CAMP. 

The sun was just appearing above the 
tree-tops on the following morning, when 
the camp was shaken by a report which 
caused the boys to leap from their beds 
and rush out into the open space. So star^ 
tied were they that the absence of Jock was 
not perceived; but when they discovered 
him on the bank, and a cloud of smoke 
could also be seen floating over the river, 
they knew at once the cause of the alarm. 

The presence of a small brass cannon on 
the ground near where Jock was standing 
would have revealed the cause of the ex- 
citement if nothing else had ; and, as Jock 
laughingly turned to greet them, he said : — 

"That's the signal to get up, boys. 
Ethan will be here soon, and we don't want 
to delay breakfast." 

"Where did you get it, Jock?" said 
Bert, eagerly examining the cannon as he 
spoke. " It's a beauty ! " 

118 



u 



lMP. 

y above the 
rning, when 
eport which 
I their beds 
;e. So star- 

of Jock was 
y discovered 
d of smoke 
jr the river, 

the alarm. 
3s cannon on 
iras standing 
e of the ex- 
and, as Jock 
1, he said : — 
}t up, boys, 
e don't want 

Jock?" said 
annon as he 



TOM aURPBIHES THE CAMP. 



119 



" Oh, I brought it with me, but I hadn't 
had a chance to mount it before. We wanted 
something to salute the sun with, to say 
nothing of the yachts and steamers that 
pass us every hour or two." 

"You don't know how you frigh';ened 
me," said Bob, slowly. " I almost thcught 
the British had come back for us." 

"Look out at that smoke, will you, fel- 
lows?" oaid Ben, pointing to the little 
cloud which could still be seen. "What do 
you think it looks like ? " 

"What does it look like, Ben?" in- 
quired Jock. 

"It reminds me of the tail of a goose. 
Something like the tale of Goose Bay, with 
which our imaginative friend here regaled 
us last night." 

" It makes me think of the story Virgil 
tells about iEneas, where the ' pious son ' 
tried to grasp the shade of his faithful 
wife Creusa. She just vanished into thm 
air, you remember," 

"It's like Bob's history, — too thin," 
laughed Bert. " Isn't that Ethan's boat ? " 
he added, pointing as he spoke to a sail 
which could be seen approaching the 
island. 



\ 



k 



120 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

« Yes ; that's Ethan. Hurry up, fellows, 
or you'll be late for breakfast. You know 
what his opinion is of people who aren't 
up early in the morning." 

His companions hastily returned to the 
tent, and by the time Ethan landed they 
were ready for the breakfast which he 
speedily prepared. 

"Goin' to have another good day," re- 
marked Ethau; as he and Tom cleared away 
the breakfast dishes. 

"That's what we want," said Jock. 
« Ethan, did you bring over the things we 
were talking about last night ? " 

"Yes, they're in the boat. We've got 
just the kind of a day we want, too." 

« What is it, Jock, you and Ethan are 
plotting ? " inquired Ben. 

" You'll find out pretty soon." 
The boys were all eagerness as they fol- 
lowed Ethan down to the dock. The boat^ 
man soon brought forth a small mast and 
sail, and as he spread the latter out on the 
ground, its peculiar shape at once impressed 
the interested beholders. ^^ 

« What. do you call that thing, Ethan?' 
inquired Bert. 
"A sail." 



ENCE. 

ap, fellows, 
You know 
who aren't 

ned to the 

anded they 

which he 

d day," re- 
leared away 

said Jock, 
le things we 

We've got 
, too." 
I Ethan are 

as they fol- 
. The boair 
all mast and 
er out on the 
ice impressed 

ng, Ethan?* 



T02t SUBPBI8E8 THE CAMP. 121 

« Yes, I see ; but what kind of a sail is 
it? I never saw one like It before. 

"Likely not. They don't grow m cities. 

^^'TL'^mlwIsIoappropria^thatnoo^e 

had any difficulty in understanding the 

e^use of'the term, but the boatman did not 

deign to make any further explanation and 

at once proceeded to fit the mast m one of 

'""irZy had one," he explained, when 
thetaskwas completed. "I-^g^^Xtave 
at the Bay, probably, and as I d ^n^ have 
time to stop there this mornm and see 
thethtr the'e was any letters or any o 
ve if ye don't object, I'll take Jock along 
^Hh L and sail over there now. lean 

Thow him a little how the thing's managed 
onCwayover,and then when I come 

Tacrril live a couple o' the bat w.^, 
an' can let the rest o' ye have a try, if ye 

"tck 'protested that some other one of 

the boys should be permitted to have 

tefirTtsaU; but they all declared ^hat 

he was the one to go, and so the lad took 
hL place in the little canoe, and ma mo- 
ment the light craft was speeding swiftly 



,-sssi^^ 



ass* 



:, 



I: 



i 



122 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

over the water in the direction of Alexan- 
dria Bay. 

** Isn't she a beauty ! " exclaimed Bert, 
delightedly. "They wont be gone long, 
will they ? " he added, turning to Tom. 

" No," replied Tom. " You'll get all the 
sailing you want, to-day." 

The boys watched the canoe as it sped on 
before the wind. They could see Jock, who 
was seated on the edge of the canoe in the 
bow, while Ethan was in the stern and was 
managing the sail. At times the canoe 
dipped until it seemed to the watching 
boys that it must be swamped, but it al- 
ways righted itself and then leaped forward 
with ever increasing speed. At last it dis- 
appeared from sight behind one of the 
neighboring islands, and then the boys 
turned with a sigh to the camp, all of them 
eager now for the return of their compan- 
ions, and for the opportunity to try the 
merits of a canoe fitted out with a bat- 
wing sail. 

" What'U we do to pass the time, fel- 
lows ? " said Ben. 

" I think it would be a capital idea for 
Tom here to speak his piece before us," 
drawled Bob. " He wants to practise, and 



ENCE. 

}f Alexfan- 

med Bert, 
;one long, 
>Tom. 
get all the 

it sped on 

Jock, who 

noe in the 

•n and was 

the canoe 

watching 

but it al- 

jd forward 

last it dis- 

ne of the 

the boys 

ill of them 

ir compan- 

bo try the 

ith a bat- 

I time, f el- 

i\ idea for 
)efore us," 
actise, and 



TOM SURPRISES THE CAMP. 



128 



perhaps we can be of some help to him. 
Sm here is a prize speaker, you know. 
^C"fLeLhed%ndforamomenthe 

evidently thought Bob was poking J- ^ 
him "It isn't much of a piece, he said 
in'onfusion. « The young folks are going 
^rhave a dialogue and try to raise some 

Iney to fix up the walks over at the 

^Ts^y^fathertoldus," said Bob "I'm 

in de J earnest, though, Tom. It's more 

Unlikely that Ben can give y^^^^^^^^^ 

He took the school prize m speakmg in 

summer. Go ahead, anyway. 

"Ind you boys won't make fun of me? 

^"^rS:tIutofit,'' said Bob, cordiaU^^^ 
«w!!re coming over to see the sho^^^^^^^^^ 

it comes off, anyway, -^^^^^^^1::;:^ 
ffive it to us now, or, at least, Y®"; / 
f :: had pMty ^ courage ;« t^^ o^e 
o£ Shakespeare's plays, though. How ma 

^•'^Kt-lJ;i'wU.i.son-sid^,h.s 
the teacher at the Comers, you know. He 
fa^T^ u.ight as well learn -m^'^g 

worth hearing whUe we were about it, so 

we finally chose 'Hamlet. 



ill' -B'lTrmn-iin 



124 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

" Quite right, too," remarked Bob, encour- 
agingly, as if he was familiar with all 
such little matters as the great dramas of 
Shakespeare, and was willing to share his 
courage with all the world. 

Tom at last reluctantly consented, and 
striking an attitude, gazed up into the sky 
as if nothing less than the ghost was 
beckoning to him. His eyes assumed a 
far-away expression, and he waited a 
moment before he began. Then appar^ 
ently every muscle in his body became 
rigid, and in a loud and unnatural tone of 
voice he commenced. 

" Tew be-e-e- or not to be-e-e-e-e-" 

As he spoke his right arm shot suddenly 
out in front of him, much after the action 
of a piston rod in a great locomotive, and 
his eyes began to roll. Bert suddenly rolled 
over upon the ground and hid his face in 
the grass, and Ben as quickly turned and 
gazed out upon the river as if something 
he had discovered there demanded his at- 
tention. Only Bob was unmoved, and 
without a smile upon his face, he said 
solemnly, " Why do you talk it off like 
that, Tom ? " 

" Isn't that the way to do it ? " 



RENCE, 

Bob, encour- 
tr with all 
:; dramas of 
o share his 

sented, and 
nto the sky 
ghost was 
assumed a 
waited a 
hen appar- 
dy became 
ral tone of 

ot suddenly 
' the action 
lotive, and 
lenly rolled 
his face in 
burned and 
something 
ded his at- 
loved, and 
e, he said 
it off like 



TOM SURPRISES THE CAMP. 125 

« I Should hardly think 80. Don t you 
, J tamlet was puzzled -d was som^ 
how half talking to himself? IJ^^^'^ j^ 
n.e as if he was musing and didnt think 
Tanv one to whom he was speakmg. He 
was Jlking to himself , so to speak. Dont 

^^?.^':';%U:dBen, desperately striving 
! 1 \.L voice and not turnmg his 

"".'w^r/aonH know about U," protested 
S::; to do Cmost unnatural thing m 

They call it his soliloquy, don t theyj 
..Yes ; but he was cra.y, wasn t he ? 

'"^^rrrwMSvTso"-^"'* 

B:;t^u;fehowhisa.^^conM^^^^^ 
Beemed to be departing. "Tom, nea ^^ 
"Ce you read much of Shakespeare^ 

«I've read all he wrot^, said lom 




SKSSSWJK?- 



r 



r\\ 



126 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRKNdE. 

" We can't do much except read in the 
winter down here on the river." 

Ben by this time had either examined 
the distant object on the river to his entire 
satisfaction, or else was startled by Tom's 
words. At all events he quickly withdrew 
his gaze and looked at the young boatman 
in surprise, and even Bert had ceased to 
bury his face in the grass. Somehow the 
comical aspect of Tom's speech had sud- 
denly changed. 

"What have you read this winter, 
Tom?" inquired Bob, slowly. 

" Oh, I've read all of Shakespeare, as 
I told you, and then I've read all of Park- 
man's histories, and all of Bancroft. You 
know Parkman has a good deal to say 
about the men who first came up the St. 
Lawrence, and I wanted to learn all I could 
about the part of the country I live in. 
But I wanted to know something about 
other coimtries too, so I've read Motley's 
'Rise of the Dutch Republic,' and Pres- 
cott's 'Conquest of Peru and of Mexico.' 
Then I've read Wordsworth's poems. It 
seems to me I enjoy him better than I do 
any other poet, for the country around his 
home must have been something like this 



ls4L 



'ead in tho 

• examined 

his entire 
i by Tom's 
y withdrew 
ig boatman 

1 ceased to 
mehow the 
h had sud- 

lis winter, 

espeare, as 
ill of Park- 
oft. You 
eal to say 
up the St. 
all I could 

I live in. 
ling about 
d Motley's 

and Pres- 
)f Mexico.' 
poems. It 
than I do 
iround his 
5 like this 



TOM SURPntSKH THE CAMP. 



127 



St. Lawrence country. Don't you think 

n >» 

''' Before Bob could reply, Ben and Bert 
suddenly rose from the f «^^"d fd ran 
speedily into the tent where the trunks 

were. , « >» 

*' What's the matter with those boys f 
inquired Tom, innocently, looking up in 
surprise at the sudden departure of his 

companions. 

"I don't think they feel very well, re- 
plied Bob, demurely ; " or it may have been 
[hat they've gone to see if their fishing 
tackle is all right after the experience of 
yesterday. Tom," he added, " do you read 
any fiction, any novels?" 

" Not many. Pa doesn't like to have 
ine. He says they're all lies anyway, and 
there's enough that's true to read. I ve 
read a little. I've read most of Scott s 
novels and Charles Kingsley and some 
of the other writers. The last book I 
read was Defoe's account of the London 
plague. I don't like that very well, do 

^°"rve got to see what those boys are up 
to," said Bob, suddenly, leaping to his feet 
as he spoke and moving with unusual quick- 



- "'iac^StoSiii*"'*' •^ '•'■• — ■ ■ 



li) 



m 



' 



128 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ness away from the place where he had 
been lying. 

" I say, Bob," said Bert, when their friend 
joined them, " the next time you catch a 
weasel asleep, you let me know, will you ? " 

" I wouldn't have believed it," spoke up 
Ben, quickly. "Here we were thinking 
we'd get some fun out of this greenhorn, 
and then he turns round and puts us all 
in a hole. I wonder if he really has read 
all those books he says he has ? " 

" You might examine him and see," re- 
plied Bob, dryly. 

"Not much. You don't catch me that 
way. Here T was thinking we'd do some 
missionary work for the poor benighted 
heathen of the region, and lo and behold, 
they turn upon us and beat us at our own 
game. Who would have believed it? I 
know I shouldn't, for one." 

"Serves us right. I'll keep clear of 
Tom till his *pa' comes back." 

Bob's sentiments were echoed by his 
companions, and not one of them ventured 
to remind the young boatman of the desire 
to hear him recite Hamlet's soliloquy. In- 
deed, they did not venture near the camp 
until it was almost noon time, and then 




, WRENCK. 

vhere he had 

en their friend 

J you catch a 

w, will you ? " 

it," spoke up 

i^eie thinking 

lis greenhorn, 

d puts us all 

jally has read 

?" 

and see," re- 

atch me that 
«re'd do some 
>or benighted 
) and behold, 
8 at our own 
lieved it? I 

:eep clear of 
k." 

hoed by his 
hem ventured 
of the desire 
jliloquy. In- 
3ar the camp 
ne, and then 



TOM aURPBlSE8 THE CAMP. 



129 



the time until dinner wa» '«*'«' „„ 

consumed in .-eading them, and perh»p 
oneofthemregrettedtheaot^ ^^ 

Alter dinner, both Ethan anu 
gave their entire attention «» * 'f jj 
Lohing the yonng »-.P?" *;*% sail. 
'"^/■^''""''a^Tartytasatroufeach 
Only one o£ the party w* .^ 

time by a boatman and *en, X^^hUe 
trip,he«asano«edtaUoldt^ehee ^^^ 

the boatinan oecup^d .he p^ >^ 

which the pupil i°"rZr^ ^f^^oon vra» 
In this manner the entoe a ^ 

"°"'"t^rpt:^th»d^^-^t>'^'''« 
camp for supper, x. 

*"»«''' ''ThlhhfdvLd^S no one 

the <=»'««'' *''X J,*; the island, and 

;:rd^"or:hXS»s -^ - --^^ 

^''^^n. and Tom 1^^^,^- ft^U. 

He would not listen w 

of bis comrades, and soon started f^m 

dock. The boys watched him untu 





130 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

canoe disappeared behind the nearest island. 
They had no thought of peril, but when the 
darkness deepened, and at last the hour of 
retu-ing had arrived, the uneasiness in the 
camp had become a fear which no one dared 
to express. i 



F i; 



^ 



WRENCE. 

nearest island. 

but when the 
t the hour of 
isiness in the 

no one dared 



CHAPTER XI. 

A NIGHT OF ANXIBTT. 

To add to the consternation of the boys 
fh. face of the sky was now obscared by 
"and the vising wind gave tokens of 
f rowing stonn^ Tbe t^ - f J^ 

:t^::L";i^n:in^^ 

nine to lash the low beach. 
"?rm afraid Ben's in trouble said Jock, 
oWp to endure the silence longer. U 
^.flSl^igthe neve, could find hi, way 

the ^ream," said Bert, no le» troubled to 
ttond" He ought to have been able 

*"fAeri not to have gone out ^* 

^t than we ever Unew It was a iool 
trick for Ben to start out as he did. 

181 



t' « 



i 



132 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWBENCE. 

" Well, he went, and that's all there is 
to say about it. We'll pile the logs up 
higher and wait. It's all we can do now," 
said Bob. 

Bob's suggestion was at once acted upon ; 
and soon the light of the camp-fire was leap- 
ing up in long tongues of flame. The wind 
served to increase the blaze, and the roar 
of the blaziiig logs was added to that of 
the rising storm. 

For a tune the boys sat in silence before 
the fireplace, gazing out over the river, and 
eagerly looking for the sight of the little 
canoe. They knew that even a skilled 
sailor would not dare to venture out in such 
a night, but as Ben was ah-eady or. '^.e 
river, he must find some place to land ; u. 
so, hoping against hope, the lads waited. 

« There comes the rain," said Bob, at last, 
as a few drops fell upon his upturned face. 
" What a night to be out on the river in ! " 

" Jock," said Bert, " haven't I read that 
these canoes are upset very easily on the 
river here ? " 

"I think it's likely. They are capsized, 
whether you've read it or not." 

"Ben can swim, anyway," said Bert, 
" and that's one comfort." 



IsX 



WREirCI!. 

's all there is 
! the logs up 
can do now," 

e acted upon ; 
^fire was leap- 
le. The wind 
and the roar 
3d to that of 

jilence before 
the river, and 
of the little 
en a skilled 
pe out in such 
•eady or. '^.e 
to land J ,. 
ds waited. 
I Bob, at last, 
Jturned face, 
le river in ! " 
> I read that 
sasily on the 

are capsized, 

' said Bert, 



A NIOHT OF ANXIETY. 



188 



"I'm afraid he couldn't swim very far 
to-night," replied Jock, gloomily. "He 
couldn't see ten yards before him, and he 
wouldn't know where to start for. Whew ! 
Just hear that ! " 

The rain was now coming faster, and 
beat upon the faces of the boys and fell 
sputtering into the fire. The wind, how- 
ever, was so strong that the fire roared and 
snapped, ana a cloud of smoke was borne 
away down the river. Inky blackness sur- 
rounded them, and the sounds of the storm- 
swept river became steadily louder. 

" There's no use in all of us staying out 
here in the rain. The rest of you go into 
the tent, and I'll stay here and attend to 
the fire," said Jock. 

« Don't you think we'd better try to go 
over to the mainland and rouse out Ethan ? 
Ben may be in trouble somewhere, and 
Ethan'U find him if any one can," said 

Bert. 

"I've thought of that," said Jock, "but 
it won't be safe to try it. We've nothing 
but the canoe here, and it couldn't live in 
such a storm as this. Just hear that, will 
you ! " he added. 

There was a great roaring in the trees 



KHIi- 



134 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

now, and the sound became steadily louder. 
The rain, too, increased, and sometimes 
seemed to dash upon them in sheets. Out 
on the river the tossing waters could be 
seen where the light of the camp-fire fell, 
and, capped with white, they presented a 
wild sight. And Ben was somewhere on 
those angry waters! For a moment it 
seemed lo the troubled Jock that he could 
see the picture of a little white-winged 
canoe driven on by the furious storm*, and 
in the stern of the boat was a terrified face 
which strongly resembled that of the miss- 
ing Ben. Just then there came a still more 
furious blast. The tall trees bent and 
groaned, and the tossing waters leaped be- 
fore it, as a highly strung horse darts for- 
ward at the touch of a whip. 

Again it seemed to Jock as if he could 
see the little canoe driven before the roar- 
ing wind. The gust seemed to lift the light 
craft in its grasp, the pale face of the lad 
on board leaned forward, then there was 
a sudden lurching of the boat, the sail 
dipped until it touched the water, and then 
boat and boatman disappeared from sight 
and nothing could be seen but the tossing 
waters and nothing be heard but the roar 






A NIGHT OF ANXIETY. 



135 



,A WRENCB. 

steadily louder, 
and sometimes 
n sheets. Out 
raters could be 
e camp-fire fell, 
ley presented a 
somewhere on 
: a moment it 
k that he could 
ie white-winged 
rious storm*, and 
s a terrified face 
;hat of the mics- 
same a still more 

trees bent and 
(raters leaped be- 

horse darts for- 
lip. 
k as if he could 

before the roar^ 
i to lift the light 
J face of the lad 
, then there was 
3 boat, the sail 
1 water, and then 
eared from sight 
I but the tossing 
lard but the roar 



of the storm. Thick darkness settled over 
all, and even penetrated the heavy heart of 
the anxious watcher. 

None of the boys was willing to leave 
Jock alone to watch the camp-fire, and 
after the mackintoshes had been put on 
they all returned and waited. Occasionally 
a fresh log was thrown upon the blazhig 
pile and the sparks flew upward, serving 
only to render more intense .he thick black- 
ness that surrounded them. 

There was slight hope of Ben returning 
now, but the anxious boys were determined 
to keep the fire burning, for it would serve 
as a landmark if, by any chance, the absent 
iad might be near. Their eyes were seldom 
taken from the river, and hour after hour 
passed as the vigil continued. 

About midnight the storm abated, and 
soon the twinkling stars appeared in the 
sky. In the renewed hope that Ben might 
have been able to gain the shelter of 
some secluded island and remain until the 
storm had passed, they piled the logs still 
higher and waited and watched for the 
canoe to appear. 

There were few words spoken now. The 
river gradually became more silent and re- 




35K; 



't ! 



186 CAMPl'ifO ON THE 3T. LAWRENCE. 

sumed its former peacefulness, and the tall 
trees ceased to bend and sway. PeiHaps 
th'^ end had already come and even the 
waves were satisfied with the ruin they had 

wrought. ^, -J T 1, 

" I shan't give up hope yet, said JocK, 

at last. " Ben wouldn't be likely to try to 

get back before morning, and he 11 wait tor 

daylight wherever he is." 

" Wherever he is," murmured Bert, as it 

he was speaking to himself. 

" You don't really think he's been — that 

anything has happened to him, do you? 

said Jock, anxiously. 

" I hope not." , . <• xi. 

" I don't know what I'd say to his father 
and mother," began Jock, again. " And 
iust think of it ! When we were counting 
on such a good time, too, and to have this 
happen almost at the very begmnmg! 
Don't you think we'd better go over to 
Ethan's now and rouse him out? Hed 
know what to do." 

"I think we'd better wait till it s lignt, 
anyway," said Bob. "I suppose you're 
thhiking of sending Ethan with his sail- 
boat to look him up?" 

« Yes, that was what was m my mrna. 



^4 



Wyj 



HENCE. 

and the tall 
y. Perhaps 
id even the 
lin they had 

," said Jock, 
:ely to try to 
ne'U wait for 

ed Bert, as if 

J been — that 
in, do you?" 



r to his father 
,gain. " And 
were counting 
i to have this 
y beginning ! 
jr go over to 
m out? He'd 

b till it's light, 

suppose you're 

with his sail- 

« in my mind. 



A NIGHT OF ANXIETY. 



137 



You see, Ben may have met with an acci- 
dent. He may have lost his paddle, or his 
mast may have been broken. There's a 
hundred things I can think of, and if he 
should be cast away on some island, he 
wouldn't be able to get off without help." 

« You don't know whether to go up the 
river or down," said Bert, disconsolately. 

« Ben started up the river when he went 
off," replied Jock; "but it's just as likely 
that he's been carried down the stream, 
with the current and the wmd both to push 
him on. Ethan will know what to do, 

though." , . 

« He'll probably go in one direction and 
Tom in the other," suggested Bob. 

The three boys lapsed into silence, and 
while no one spoke openly of the great fear 
in his heart, it was nevertheless evident that 
a common anxiety had them all in its grasp. 
Occasionally one would rise and go down 
to the dock and peer eagerly out over the 
river, but his failure to discover anything 
of interest would be betrayed by his silence 
and gloom when he rejoined his fellows. 

The slow hours dragged on and still the 
heavy-hearted lads waited. The leaves of 
the trees dripped steadily, and the monoto- 






p " 



i; . 



138 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WHENCE. 

nous sounds served only to deepen the feel- 
ing of depression. Try as they would the 
boys could not shake off their fears, and 
when at last the first faint streaks of the 
dawn appeared in the eastern sky, they 
were so worn by their watching, and the 
anxiety of the long night, that the com- 
ing day brought no relief. 

" Two of us had better stay here in the 
camp," suggested Bob, when the light be- 
came more pronounced. "If you know 
where Ethan lives, Jock, you'd better take 
the canoe and go over to his place." 
" I'll go," replied Jock, quickly. 
The opportunity to bestir himself afforded 
a slight relief, and going at once to the 
bank he lifted the overturned canoe from 
its place and bore it in his arms down to 
the water. Quickly taking his place on 
board he grasped the paddle and with 
vigorous strokes sent the light craft swiftly 
over the water in the direction of the main- 
land. His two friends watched him as 
long as he could be seen and then returned 
to the camp. The fire had burned low by 
this time, but as daylight was at hand there 
was little use in keeping it up, and the boys 
occasionally stirred the embers as if in the 



***^1 



-aiMCMiMMitMteiM 



immmmmmmmmmmmmmm 




HENCE. 

)en the feel- 
f would the 
r fears, and 
'eaks of the 
1 sky, they 
ng, and the 
at the com- 

here in the 
he light be- 
f you know 
I better take 
ace." 

kly. 

iself afforded 
once to the 
I canoe from 
,rms down to 
his place on 
e and with 
, craft swiftly 
1 of the main- 
ched him as 
hen returned 
)urned low by 
at hand there 
i, and the boys 
•s as if in the 



A NIUHT OF ANXIETY. 



139 



ashes they were looking for something th<!y 

had lost. 

As the glow of the dawn became more 
pronounced, and at last the great sun itself 
appeared above the horizon, the waiting 
lads had no thought of breakfast. Even 
the wonderful appetite of which they had 
boasted on the preceding day, was not able 
to move them now. The keen air had lost 
its power, and all hiinger was gone. 

From time to time a boat was discovered 
on the river, and the lads watched each in 
silence until it was hidden from sight 
among the islands; the missing Ben did 
not appear. More than two hours had 
elapsed since Jock's departure from the 
camp, when Bob suddenly exclaimed : — 
"Isn't that a cauoe out there on the 

river ? 

"Where? Where?" inquired his com- 
panion, eagerly. 

" Out there in the direction of the pomt ! 
Hold on a minute, and I'll get the glasses 
and we'll see what we can make of it." 

Bob hastily ran into the tent and re- 
turned with the glasses. Lifting them to 
his eyes he gazed long and earnestly at the 
littiv^ spot on the surface of the river, and 



> » m i i ii im n ■ m il 



I I 



140 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE!. 

then without a word handed them to his 
friend. Bert eagerly took them, and after 
he had peered intently at the distani. object, 
he lowered the glasses and said in a low 
voice, •' It's a canoe, Bob, and it's headed 
this way." 

*' That's what I made out of it," replied 
Bob. 

" If it was Ben he'd have a sail." 
" I don't know whether he would or not. 
He might have lost it, you know, in the 
storm. That isn't the direction from which 
Jock would come." 

" No. He went straight across from 
here. Do you think it's Ben ? " 

Bob made no reply, but he ran swiftly 
down to the dock, and his companion as 
speedily followed him. There they waited 
for the approaching canoe, confirming them- 
selves by repeated uses of the glasses that 
it was headed for the camp. The little 
boat became more distinct, and soon they 
could see the movements of the occupant 
as he deftly wielded his paddle. 

At last, when it was within two hundred 
yards of the dock, after another long look 
through the glasses. Bob said, " It's Jock." 
Neither of them spoke until Jock ran the 



y i 



RENCE. 

them to hia 
n, and after 
stani. object, 
id in a low 
it's headed 

I it," replied 

lail." 

'^ould or not. 
now, in the 
I from which 

across from 

ran swiftly 
Dmpanion as 

they waited 
irming them- 
5 glasses that 
The little 
id soon they 
the occupant 

3. 

two hundred 
ler long look 
« It's Jock." 
Jock ran the 



A NiailT OF ANXIETY. 



Ut 



canoe in-shore, and then by the expression 
upon his face they knew that he had no 
good report to make. 

<' I found Ethan," said Jock, as he lifted 
the canoe out of the water and placed it on 
the bank, " and he and Tom have gone out. 
One has gone up the river and the other 

down." . . J T» i. 

"What did he say?" inquired Bert, 

eagerly. 

" Nothing." 

« Does he think Ben's — " 

Bert did not complete the question, and 
, then said, " We weren't looking for you to 
come from that direction. We thought 
perhaps it might be Ben." 

« Ethan sent me over to a man he knew 
a little farther up the river. I've started 
him out to look, too. That's the reason 
why I came from that direction. Ethan 
suggested that I should bring some break- 
fast over for you, but I didn't think you d 
want any. I knew I didn't, anyway. 

« Nor do we," said Bob. « What are we 
to do now, Jock ? Isn't there something 

we can do?" _ 

" Ethan told us to stay here in camp till 
he came. He says he'll be here by noon, 



1/ 



ill 



142 C AMPIN a ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

and tlien if he doesn't learn anything, we'll 
decide whether we'd better telegraph home 
or not." 

Jock's voice broke as he spoke, and his 
evident anxiety was shared by the other 
boys. The end would soon be at hand, but 
before Ethan's return there was nothing for 
them to do but to strive to possess their 
souls in patience and wait. Working 
would have been much more easy for them 
all, but there was nothing they could do. 
They dared not venture forth from the 
island for fear of losing their way in the 
tangled maze, but they paced back and 
forth along the shore, peering eagerly out 
over the river for the boat which still did 
not come. 

About noontime Ethan returned to camp, 
but he had found no trace of the missing 
Ben ; and when an hour later Tom returned, 
he also had the same disheartening report 
to make, for neither had he seen any one 
who knew of the lost boy. 



RENCE. 



Ihing, we'll 
i^raph home 

)ke, and his 
y the other 
it hand, but 
nothing for 
ossess their 
Working 
}y for them 
y could do. 
I from the 
way in the 
back and 
eagerly out 
ch still did 

ed to camp, 
the missing 
m returned, 
ning report 
len any one 



CHAPTER XII. 



THE MISSING CAMPER. 



Ethan beckoned t > Tom, and toi>,3ther 
they at once began to prepare dinner. The 
boys noticed their proceedings, but in spite 
of the fact that they had had no breakfast, 
none of them took any interest in the ' oat- 
man's task. They did not leave th<-:r .^si- 
tion on the bank, and still stood cooking 
out over the river, vainly w.tcv. ng for the 
coming of a canoe which as yet had not 
appeared. 

Dinner was soon ready, and Ethan at 
once summoned the young campers. His 
own distress was evident, ami did not tend 
to allay the anxiety of the boys; but in 
response to their protest that they were not 
hungry, he said : — 

"That doesn't make a bit o' difference. 
Ye've got to eat v/r . ther ye want to or not. 
It may be we'll ii.ive a lot o' work yet to 
do, and if ye don't cat ye can't work." 

143 



144 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"Ethan," said Jock, "don't you think 
we'd better telegraph to my father or to 
Ben's?" The boys had obeyed the sum- 
mons, and were now seated at the table, 
but the eyes of all were upon the boatman. 

« Telegraph ?" replied Ethan. "It'll cost 
ye four shillin' to do that." 

" I don't care what it costs," said Jock, 
recklessly ; for even Ethan's fear of a tele- 
gram and its probable expense did not in- 
terest him now. 

"Wall,mel>be,mebbe," said Ethan, slowly. 
" Ye'd better eat yer dinner first, and then 
we'll see what can be done." 

No one spoke during the early part of 
the dinner, and although the boys managed 
to eat some of the food which had been 
provided for them, it was evident that they 
were not hungry, and their thoughts were 
all upon their missing comrade. The hopes 
which they had had at the coming of the 
day had disappeared now, and with the 
passing of the hours the conviction deep- 
ened that Ben was lost. How could they 
ever send word to his home ? When Jock 
thought of the enthusiasm with which they 
had come, and then realized that he was 
the one who had proposed the camp, he was 



'RENCE. 

; you think 
:ather or to 
3d the sum- 
;t the table, 
ihe boatman. 
" It'll cost 

," said Jock, 
jar of a tele- 
3 did not in- 

Ithan, slowly. 
rst, and then 

jarly part of 

oys managed 

ch had been 

ent that they 

loughts were 

. The hopes 

3ming of the 

nd with the 

viction deep- 

w could they 

When Jock 

ih which they 

that he was 

camp, he was 



THE MISSING CAMPER. 



146 



ready to blame himself as the cause of all 
the sorrow and trouble. Already in his 
mind he could see Ben's father and mother, 
when the word should be received in their 
home. How could he bear it? But Ben 
was gone ; there could be no question aboi4 
that, and it was quite probable that they 
never would learn how or where he had 
disappeared. The hungry current of the 
river bore swiftly onward in its course all 
that it seized, and traces of missing boat or 
boy would be difficult, if not impossible, to 
find. His eyes filled with tears, and he 
started abruptly from the table. 

No one spoke to recall him, for they all 
understood his feelings, and indeed their 
own sympathies were now increasing ; but 
as Jock ran toward the shore, he perceived 
that Tom was standing on the bank and 
gazing earnestly out upon the river. 

Jock looked" up to see what had inter- 
ested Tom, and perceived a small steam- 
yacht coming close in-shore. Even while 
he was watching it, the beautiful little craft 
stopped, and a moment later he saw a canoe 
lowered from the stern and some one step 

into it. 

The whistle of the yacht sounded shrilly, 




146 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



I ; 



and in a moment all the campers were run- 
ning swiftly toward the dock. No one 
spoke, but the canoe was now being pad- 
dled toward them, and in a brief time such 
a shout rang out from the watchers as was 
seldom heard on the great river. 

"It's Ben, it's Ben!" cried Jock; and 
instantly his companions joined in the word. 

There could be no doubt about it now, 
for even Ben's face could be seen as he 
occasionally turned and glanced at them. 
The yacht whistled again, as if the people 
on board shared in the manifest excitement 
of the camp, and then turned and steamed 
up the river, leaving a long trail of dark 
smoke behind it. None of the boys marked 
her departure, however, interested as they 
would ordinarily have been in the approach 
of such a beautiful visitor, for they were all 
intent upon the canoe and its occupant now. 

Nearer and nearer came the canoe, and 
soon it was close to the shore. In their 
eagerness, the boys ran into the water, and 
to save himself Ben was compelled to relin- 
quish his paddle, and suffer himself to be 
drawn up on the beach. As soon as he was 
safely landed, there was a scene enacted 
which none of them ever forgot. Jock was 



%' t i 



RENCE. 

rs were run- 
i. No one 
being pad- 
ii time such 
chers as was 

Jock ; and 

in the word. 

)out it now, 

seen as he 
2d at them, 
f the people 
t excitement 
and steamed 
;rail of dark 
boys marked 
sted as they 
the approach 
they were all 
ccupant now. 
e canoe, and 
re. In their 
le water, and 
slled to relin- 
limself to be 
)on as he was 
cene enacted 
»t. Jock was 



THE MISSING CAMPER. 



147 



jAUghing and crying at the same time, and 
even the phlegmatic Bob was not unmoved. 
" You rascal ! " he said at last, when a 
momentary lull came, " what do you mean ? 
Give an account of yourself, sir ! " 

"Here I am," replied Ben, evidently not 
unmoved by his reception. " Proceed, my 
lord, and do as it seemeth good in thy 
sight." 

« Where have you been, Ben ? " said 
Jock, eagerly. " Tell us about it." 

"Mebbe he wants some dinner, first," 
suggested Ethan, who was not the least un- 
moved of the party. "He can tell us while 
he's eatin'." 

"We're all hungry, now," said Bert; 
"we've been fasting while you've- been 
gone, Ben. Don't we look so?" 

"Fasting, fasting?" exclaimed Ben; 
"then you must have suffered keenly. 
I'm as hungry as a bear, myself. Come on, 
and I'll tell you all about it, while I'm 
sampling Ethan's wares." 

The boys were soon all seated at the 
table again, and now that their lost com- 
rade was found it seemed as if the lost ap- 
petites had also been restored. They fell 
upon the food before them in a manner 



, 


i 


- 




; 




■ ] 




■ i 




ri 




1 


t 


i 




Ej 


!' 


'^*teay 


Ju 



148 CAMPING ON THE 81'. LAWRENCE. 

which highly delighted Ethan, and com- 
pelled him and Tom to busy themselves in 
preparing more. 

The dual occupation seemed in no way 
to interfere with Ben's ability or disposi- 
tion to talk, and he at once began his 
story. 

" Well, fellows, it was like this. When 
I started out last night I intended to go 
only a little way. I was going up just 
around the first island and then come 
straight back to camp; but when I rounded 
the island, I found the passage so narrow 
and dangerous I thought I'd go on around 
the next one. When I got to the end of 
that I found I was a good way out of my 
course; for, the island was a pretty long one, 
you see, and when I cleared it, and I came 
out into the open river again, I must have 
made a mistake in my bearings. I didn't 
realize I'd lost my way till about a half an 
hour later, but then I knew it. There were 
islands all around me, and the wind had died 
away, or at least had died down a good deal. 

" I kept on, thinking I'd strike a familiar 
spot, but the current is much stronger over 
there than it is here, and I found I was 
going down the stream all the time. I ran 



'■RENCE. 

n, and com- 
hemselves in 

J in no way 
y or disposi- 
e began his 

this. When 
bended to go 
)ing up just 
then come 
en I rounded 
^e so narrow 
go on around 
,o the end of 
ay out of my 
etty long one, 
■j, and I came 

I must have 
igs. I didn't 
out a half an 
There were 
wrind had died 
n a good deal, 
ike a familiar 
stronger over 

found I was 
s time. I ran 



THE MISaiNO CAMPER. 



149 



the canoe in-shore and took in my sail and 
thought I'd paddle, for the wind was mostly 
gone, as I said. I got along all right till I 
was out in the open water again, and had 
gone a good distance, but I couldn't find 
the island I was looking for. 

" I began to look about me then, for the 
sun was almost out of sight by that time, and 
the first thing I knew it was dark, and the 
rain was on me. I'd been so busy I hadn't 
fairly realized there was a storm coming, 
but I knew it pretty quick then, I can tell 
you. I kept on and did my best, but that 
wasn't much, as you can imagine, and all 
the time it kept getting darker and darker. 
I was wet to the skin in no time, and the 
way the waves began to toss my frail bark 
about was a caution. Paddling wasn't of 
much use, and I began to look about me for 
some place to run into. Everything was 
pretty dark, and getting darker all the time, 
and I couldn't make out any island any- 
where near me. But I wasn't staying in 
one place all the time, let me tell you, for 
the river was busy if I wasn't, and I went 
down the stream very swiftly, for the wmd 
was at my back. 

<* I don't just know how long the thing 




150 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

kept up, or how far I'd gone, but I pretty 
soon saw a light ahead of me which I 
decided in very short metre must be a cot- 
tage or a house on some island. The pad- 
dle was still in my hands, for I'd been 
lucky enough to hold on to that, and then I 
did my best to steer for the light I'd seen. 

"It kept coming nearer to me all the 
time, or so it seemed to me, though I sup- 
pose I was the one that was doing the trav- 
elling, and after a while I found I was 
correct, and that it must be ' a light in the 
window for thee, poor sailor, a light in the 
window for me.' I pulled for the shore, or 
rather ran for it, and I thought I was just 
going to run into shelter, when plump! 
my canoe struck a rock, and I was in the 
water before you could say Jack Robinson. 
The water didn't come much above my 
knees, and then, when I discovered that I 
wasn't dead, I swallowed my despair, also 
a few gallons, more or less, of this nt)ble 
river, made a grab for my canoe, and some- 
how managed to get to the bank. 

" The storm was getting in its fine work 
then, but it didn't make much difference to 
me, for I was wet and couldn't be any wet- 
ter. I'd reached the superlative degree, you 




VRENCE. 



THE MISSING CAMPER. 



161 



but I pretty 
me which I 
lust be a cot- 
i. The pad- 
for I'd been 
it, and then I 
;ht I'd seen. 

me all the 
though I sup- 
ping the trav- 
found I was 
a light in the 

1 light in the 
the shore, or 

;ht I was just 
Krhen plump ! 

I was in the 
ick Robinson, 
ch above my 
overed that I 
r despair, also 

of this nt>ble 
loe, and some- 
a^nk. 

1 its fine work 
h difference to 
I't be any wet- 
ive degree, you 



see, by that time. I looked up, and there 
on the bluff was the light which I'd seen 
when I was out on the river; so, when I'd 
carried the canoe up on the bank, I decided 
to try my luck in the house, for I knew I 
couldn't get back to camp that night, so I 
marched up to the door and rapped as bold 
as you please. 

"I almost fell over backward when the 
door was opened by one of the prettiest 
girls you ever saw. She looked at me a 
minute as if she didn't know what to 
make of it, and to tell the truth, fellows, 
I couldn't think of anything to say. But 
her father came to the door just then, and 
in a few minutes they knew all about my 
story, though I don't remember a word I 
said. 

"At any rate, if I was a stranger they 
took me in, and the goodman of the house 
dressed me out in some of his clothes. He 
was * a trifle too short, and a shaving too 
lean ' for me, so that wheni I was finally 
dressed I didn't hardly dare to go down- 
stairs again, for I could hear their voices 
through the floor, you see, and I knew there 
was more than one girl there then. 

"Finally, I plucked up courage and went 



162 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

down, but do you know what those girls 
did when I came into the room? Well, 
they tried to be polite and all that, but 
they were mightily tickled about something, 
and pretty quick one of them got up and 
made a rush for the window and made out 
that she was looking out into the storm; 
but I could see her put her handkerchief 
to her face as if she was crying, and then 
the other three girls went to join her and 
see the dark, and then one of them said, 
*Tee-hee,' and before you could say Jack 
Robmson they were laughing with 'inex- 
tinguishable laughter,' as our Homer has it. 
"At last one of them turned to me,- and 
I was glad to set her blush, for she ought 
to have been ashamed of herself, and I 
think she was, and she said, 'You must 
excuse us, Mr. Dallett. We are ashamed 
of ourselves, but really we couldn't help 
it. If you will come over here with me 
you'll see for yourself what it is thaL 
troubles us.' Well, I went over and she 
stood me up in front of a mirror and what 
do you suppose I saw, fellows ? There 
was a chap looking at me from that mir- 
ror, and he was a little pee-culiar I must 
admit. The coat he had on was about 




A7:> 



WHENCE. 

it those girls 
room ? Well, 
all that, but 
>ut something, 
n got up and 
and made out 
to the storm; 
• handkerchief 
i^ing, and then 
I join her and 
of them said, 
ould say Jack 
ig with 'inex- 
Homer has it. 
led to me,, and 
for she ought 
herself, and I 
id, 'You must 
e are ashamed 
couldn't help 
here with me 
at it is that 
i over and she 
irror and what 
illows ? There 
from that mir- 
B-culiar I must 
on was about 




THE MISSINO CAMPER. 



168 



three sizes too small for him. His trousers 
were about four inches above the tops of 
his shoes, and he looked as if he was mostly 
hands and feet. 

"Well, I laughed. I couldn't help it, 
and we had a good time, after all. You 
see. Miss Bessie had three of her class- 
mates with her spending the vacation, 
and they're a lively lot, I can tell you. 
I had a good time, and this mornmg, 
clothed in my right mind and also in ray 
proper garb, they brought^ me back to 
camp in their steam-yacht." 

It was the middle of the afternoon before 
Ben's story was ended, and after they had 
given vent to their delight over the safe 
return of their friend, Ethan said, "Ye 
don't want me to stay any longer to-day, 

do ye?" 

" No, Ethan. You can go home. Come 
over early to-morrow morning." 

"To-morrow's Sunday," said Ethan, 

soberly. 

"You don't mean it?" exclaimed Jock. 
"I'm ashamed to say I'd actually forgotten 
even the days of the week." 

" I'll come over and take ye all to church, 
suggested Ethan. 



164 CAMPING ON -^'lE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"We'll Ko ^o church, but you needn't 
come for us," said Beo, quickly. 

"Yf can't go then, for I thought I'd 
take yer canoes back with nie. I don't 
want to leave ye in any more danger." 

" No, no. You're not going to take the 
canoes," protested Ben. " We're going to 
master them, now. I'll never give up in 
the world." 

Ethan hesitated, and then under protest 
finally yielded. He explained that they 
could attend service at the Corners, at 
Alexandria Bay, or the "Park," as they 
preferred. 

" We'll go to the Bay," said Ben, quickly, 
so quickly that the boys all laughed, think- 
ing that they understood his motive. 

"'Twill be better for ye to go there," 
said Ethan, soberly ; but he had no idea of 
the trouble which his suggestion brought on 
the young campers on the following day. 



WRESCE. 



you needn't 

kly. 
thought I'd 
nie. I don't 
re danger." 
5 to take the 
e're going to 
jr give up in 

under protest 
ed that they 
! Corners, at 
irk," as they 

I Ben, quickly, 

lughed, think- 

motive. 

to go there," 

lad no idea of 

on brought on 

lowing day. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



A MISHAP. 



Sunday morning dawned clear and beau- 
tiful. When Ethan came over to the camp 
to prepare breakfast, the river lay like a 
sheet of glass before the vision of the boys. 
The twittering of the birds was the only 
sound to break in upon the stillness. The 
summer sunshine covered all things in its 
softened light, and as far as the eye could 
see the hush of a solemn silence seemed to 
have driven away all other effects. Even 
Ethan's manner was more subdued than on 
other days, and when our boys obeyed his 
call to breakfast, they also were in a meas- 
ure under the spell of the perfect summer 

day. 

Sentiment did not interfere with appetite, 
however, and ample justice was done to the 
boatman's labors; and though he referred 
to his desire, when he was ready to depart 
for home, to carry the boys himself to the 

155 



.^.ii^iiMMUiiiiiwnii 



156 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Bay to attend service, his offer was once 
more refused. 

About an hour before the time when the 
service was to be held, the boys placed the 
two canoes in the water again, and with 
Jock and Bob in one, and their two friends 
in the other, they began to paddle. The 
liglit little crafts sped swiftly over the 
water, and keeping well together, not long 
afterward began to approach Ale'^randria 
Bay. 

To them all it seemed like a novel way 
of Attending church, but they soon discov- 
ered that they were not the only ones to 
come in that manner. Sailboats and skiffs, 
canoes and steam-yachts, could be seen in 
various directions, and though these were 
not numerous, it was evident that they 
were all bent on an errand similar to their 
own. 1^ 

The boys were paddling more slowly now, 
as they came near the dock, and the two 
canoes were within a few yards of each 
other. Not an accident had occurred, and 
the confidence of the young campers had 
been largely increased by their success. 
They halted a moment to determine where 
was the best place to land, when Ben 



WRENCE. 

:er was once 

me when the 
ys placed the 
in, and with 

two friends 
paddle. The 
tly over the 
iher, not long 

Alexandria 

3 a novel way 
y soon discov- 
only ones to 
ats and skiffs, 
Id be seen in 
jh these were 
snt that they 
imilar to their 

re slowly now, 
and the two 
ards of each 
occurred, and 
campers had 
their success. 
;ermine where 
I, when Ben 



A MISHAP. 



167 



glanced up at an approaching yacht, and 
discovered his friends who had welcomed 
him to their cottage when he had escaped 
from the storm. His own presence was dis- 
covered by them at the same moment, and 
the girls crowded together near the rail, 
waving their handkerchiefs and calling to 
him, as they perceived that he had seen 
them. 

Eager to return the salutation, Ben took 
his paddle in one hand, and with the other 
tried politel}' to lift his cap. But alas for 
human efforts ! His movement suddenly 
destroyed the equilibrium of the treacherous 
canoe, and as it tipped dangerously to one 
side, Bert, who way taken unaware by the 
movement, strove to restore the balance; 
but unfortunately he leaned to the same 
side to which Ben turned, and in a moment 
the canoe was capsized, and the occupants 
sent speedily into the water. 

A cry of alarm and dismay escaped the 
lips of the girls on the yacht, and the few 
men standing at the time upon the dock 
echoed it. Startled by the shout, Jock 
glanced up, and to his consternation discov- 
ered his friends struggling in the water. In 
his efforts to turn about his own canoe, he 



ffiKWiirw 



168 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

too destroyed its balance, and instantly both 
he and Bob were also thrown into the river. 
The second accident increased the confu- 
sion and alarm, both on the yacht and on 
the dock ; but in a moment two skiffs were 
manned, the struggling lads were drawn' 
from the water, and the canoes as speedily 
seized and restored. 

When it was seen that the boys were all 
safely landed, the yacht canie in alongside 
the dock, and as the girls sprang lightly 
from the boat and beheld the dripping, 
woe-begone lads before them, they burst 
into a hearty laugh, in which the boys 
themselves, in spite of their confusion, were 
compelled to join. 

" Good morning, Mr. Dallett," said Miss 
Bessie, to Ben. " What made you go into 
the water? Did you' think \ye wouldn't 
recognize you unless you came before us in 
wet clothes ? " 

Ben laughed, and presented his friends to 
the young ladies and tnen to Miss Bessie's 
father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Clarke. 
The last .lamed expressed her sympathy for 
the boys in their accident, and -suggested 
that the yacht should be used to carry them 
back to their camp. 



(. 



TRENCE. 

istantly both 
ito the river, 
id the confu- 
acht and on 
o skiffs were 
were drawn 
is as speedily 

boys were all 
in alongside 
prang lightly 
ihe dripping, 
I, they burst 
ich the boys 
)nfusion, were 

at," said Miss 

} you go into 

we wouldn't 

e before us in 

his friends to 
i Miss Bessie's 

Mrs. Clarke. 
■ sympathy for 
and -suggested 

to carry them 



A MISHAP. 



159 



« I don't believe they want to go back, 
unless Mr. Dallett wants to get that su^ 
of papa's he wore the other night, sa d 
MisfLsie, mischievously. "That-uld 
make a good go-to-meeting suit for him. 
"tLlfughingly declared that he preferred 
his present garments, but the offer of Mrs. 
Clarke to the free use of the yacht was de- 
^rned, and, waiting only until the par^ 
had disappeared -up the stree on their way 
to the church, the bop speedily reembarked 
and began to paddle swiftly back toward 
the camp on Pine Tree Island. 

" I say, fellows," said Ben, eagerly, as they 
landed, "let's dress up and go back again. 
We'll get there in time for the benediction 

^' It's more than that you need,' said Bert, 
glumly. " Tipping two canoes oyer m one 
morning ought to be enough to sa isf y you. 
" Ben's right," said Jock, quickly. It 1 
be all the better to go back now. We don t 
want to give up, do we? We started ou 
to ..o to church, and I say let s go Well 
hav°e to be quick about it, though, to get m 
even for the benediction.' 

The proposal was agreed to, and hastily 
changing their clothing they resumed their 
place' in the canoes, and soon afterward 



:iiii!immmmm.> 



^jg^^g^-* 



160 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

landed at the dock at Alexandria Bay. Then 
they walked swiftly up the street to the 
little church, but were chagrined to find 
that they were too late even for the final 
part of the service. The congregation had 
already been dismissed, and as the boys ap- 
proached the building they discovered the 
people just beginning to depart. 

Their friends soon perceived them and 
expressed their surprise at their return, 
which Ben hastened to explain had been 
brought about by their desire to accomplish 
that which they had set out to do in the 
beginning. "They were not going to be 
floored," he declared, "by any such little 
thing as the upsetting of a canoe." 

As they walked down to the dock, Mr. 
Clarke said to Jock, "I received a letter 
from your father, yesterday." 

"Did you?" replied Jock, eagerly. "I 
didn't know that you knew him." 

" Oh, yes, we've had business relations for 
years. He's a good man." 

"You're not the only one to hold that 
opinion," said the boy, with a laugh. 

"No, I am aware of that. He wrote 
and requested me to keep an eye on you. 
From what I saw this morning, I'm afraid 



ENCE. 

3ay. Then 
•eet to the 
ed to find 
r the final 
igation had 
le boys ap- 
overed the 

them and 
3ir return, 

had been 
accomplish 

do in the 
oing to be 

such little 
oe." 

! dock, Mr. 
ed a letter 

bgerly. " I 

»> 

L. 

elations for 

) hold that 
lugh. 

He wrote 
ye on you. 
, I'm afraid 



A MISHAP. 



161 



I ought to keep two eyes in the direction of 
your camp, instead of one." 

Jock laughed, and his cheeks flushed 
slicrhtly as he heard the laugh echoed by 
the girls, but he protested that such an 
accident as that which had occurred was 
not to be considered in a serious light. 

" Not that, perhaps," replied Mr. Clarke, 
« but the one your friend had the othex night 
was serious enough. It was a narrow escape 

he had." „ 

« Yes, we were all badly frightened. 
« I'm not going to scold you, for I doubt 
not you'll learn by your mistakes. Still I 
should advise you not to take many chances 
with canoes on this river. What with the 
swift current and the squalls which come, 
no man knows when or how, it's hardly safe 
for one who is not an expert." ^^ 

" I know that, and we shall be careful. 
"Tbat'snght. Now Mrs. Clarke would 
be pleased, I know, to have you go back 
home with us and dine there to-day ; or if 
it is not convenient to-day, then some other 
day will Jo as well," he added, as he saw 
chat Jock hesitated. 

« I thank yon, Mr. Clarke, and I am sure 
all the boys Nvill be glad to come, but Ethan 



^ 



162 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

will come over to get our dinner for us 
to-day, and there's no way of getting word 
to him." 

" Very well ; then come some other day. 
You'll let us carry you back to your camp 
in' our yacht, won't you? It's directly in 
our way." 

The invitation was accepted, and the 
canoes taken in tow. Upon the invitation 
of the boys the party all landed at the dock 
and went up to the camp together. There 
everything was of interest, particularly to 
the girls, who wanted i,o understand just 
the uses of all the various camp belongings. 

Doubtless very clear explanations were 
given, for at last when they returned to 
the yacht they all expressed themselves as 
delighted with what they had seen, and the 
boys were glad to renew the promise Jock 
had given that the invitation to dine at 
"The Rocks," the name by which Mr. 
Clarke called his cottage, would be accepted 
soon. 

Not long afterward, Ethan .ppeared, and 
as he began his preparations for dinner, 
he said, — 

" I hear ye had trouble over to the bay 
to-day." 



iENCE. 

iner for us 
jetting word 

other day. 
your camp 
directly in 

d, and the 
e invitation 
at the dock 
her. There 
rticularly to 
jrstand just 
belongings, 
ations were 
returned to 
lernselves as 
leen, and the 
romjse Jock 
to dine at 
which Mr. 
be accepted 

jpeared, and 
for dinner, 

to the bay 



A MISHAP. 



163 



" Who told you ? " said Ben, quickly. 

"I don' know as I just remember. 
Everybody was talkin' of it, though. I 
warned ye. Yer pa can't say I was respon- 
sible." 

" You aren't responsible, Ethan," said 
Jock, quickly ; " 'twas Ben." 

" How ? " inquired Ethan, stopping short 
in his occupation, with the frying-pan in 
his hand. 

" He got light-headed and destroyed our 
balance. The centre of gravity fell outside 
the base, and as a natural consequence 
what took place naturally occurred." 

" Was that it ? " said Ethan, slowly. " I 
heard ye capsized." 

After dinner the boys stretched them- 
selves upon the bank, and in the cool shade 
began to talk over the experiences of the 
morning. At last even that topic ceased 
to interest them, and for a time they were 
silent. 

" This is a great river," remarked Ben, 
at last, breaking in upon the stillness, and 
looking out over the water, which was 
sparkling under the rays of the sun. 

" So it is," replied Bob, lazily. « That 
was an original remark, my friend. I'd 



1 



i 



! 



164 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 



li 



like to know just how many times it's V.eeu 
said since the first white man »tiw the 
nver. 

"Bob's going to tell us about Carter," 
said Bert, solemnly. 

"I know of no Carter. Cartier discov- 
ered the river, if he's the one you have in 
what you are pleased to call your mind." 

" I stand corrected," replied Bert. " Go 
on with your Carter or Cartier." 

" I don't know that there's much to tell. 
Jacques Cartier was a Frenchman who lived 
about four hundred years ago. Just think 
of it, fellows ; four hundred years, almost, 
since the first white man saw the river St. 
Lawrence.' ' 

"Did you say he lives here now?" in- 
quired Ben, solemnly. 

Bob gave him a look of scorn and then 
went on with his story. " Francis I. fitted 
him out with two ships of sixty tons each, 
and with a crew of a hundred and twenty 
men he set sail from St. Malo, April 20, 
1534. They say it was only twenty days 
later when he reached the east coast of 
Newfoundland." 

"They say?" interrupted Ben. "Who 
are 'they'?" 



HENCE. 

les it's V.eeu 
m tMW the 

)ut Carter," 

rtier discov- 
yoix have in 
iir mind." 

Bert. " Go 

> 

Quch to tell, 
m who lived 
Just think 
Bars, almost, 
he river St. 

now?" in- 

m and then 
ncis I. fitted 
,y tons each, 
and twenty 
o, April 20, 
twenty days 
ast coast of 

Jen. « Who 



A MI8EAP. 



165 



« The historians, and other fellows. He 
sailed north, and finally planted a cross on 
the coast of Labrador near Rock Bay." 
« What did he piant it for ?" 
"Then he went south," continued Bob, 
without giving any heed to the interruption, 
" and came down the west coast of New- 
foundland until finally he was driven by 
the unfavorable winds toward the Mag- 
dalen Islands. He soon started out again, 
and, still sailing west, landed at last at the 
mouth of the MiramicUi, and with some of 
his men began to explore the bay of Cha- 
leiur; but pretty soon afterward he set sail 
with his ships — " 

« Did he take his men with him C mter- 

rupted Ben. 

"And sailed north and landed in tho 

■ bay of Gasp6. He thought the bay wis 

the mouth of a large river, so he landed 

and remained there a little while before he 

started on again." 

" He was a wise man," said Ben. Now 
if he'd remamed there after he'd started 
on, that would have been another matter. 
But to remain there before he left the 
place, -ah, that's the man for me, every 
time." 






166 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Even Bob laughed good-naturedlv at 
the interrvotion, and then resumed his 
story. 

" He had some dealings with the Indians 
there at the bay of Gasp^, and one of the 
chiefs was so -taken with Car tier that he 
gave him permission to take his two sons 
back to France with him on the condition 
that he would bring them back in the fol- 
lowing year." 

"Whose two sons? Cartier's?" in- 
quired Bert. 

" No, the Indian chief's. Of course the 
Frenchman promised ; but before he left he 
planted another wooden cross there, and 
put 01. it a shield with the arms of the 
French king, and the words, Vive le roi de 
France." 

" How the king must have felt to have 
his arms left there," murmured Bert. 

"Cartier soon after set sail, and after 
doubling the point of Anticosti found him- 
self in a channel and sailed a little way up 
what was really a branch of the St. Law- 
rence, though he didn't know then, of 
course, that there was any such river." 

" He'd found the St. Lawrence.and didn't 
know it ? " inquired Jock. 



VRENCE. 

laturedlv at 
resumed his 

1 the Tndians 
d one of the 
rtier that he 
his two sons 
the condition 
ck in the fol- 



A MISHAP. 



16T 



rtier's ? " 



m- 



)f course the 
ore he left he 
;s there, and 
arms of the 
Vive le roi de 

felt to have 
•ed Bert. 
lil, and after 
t,i found him- 
little way up 
the St. Law- 
low then, of 
luch river." 
nee. and didn't 



Yes." 
" He was like some men I know," said 
Bert. "He knew more than he thought 

he did." ^, 

" Some men think they know more than 
they do," replied Bob, soberly. "Well, 
Cartier knew the winter was commg on, so 
he decided to go home. He sailed out 
through the straits of Belle Isle, and finally 
arrived at St. ^^ 'b, September 5, UM. 
The king wa. .ghtily pleased with the 
trip, and promised to send him again m the 

next year." ^^ -j t b- 

«Then as I understand it, said Jock, 
« Cartier 'didn't really sail up the river in 
1534 He only found a little piece of it, 
and didn't know what it was he had dis- 

covered. 

"That's it. He'd discovered it, but 

didn't know it." 

« Poor fellow ! " murmured Ben. ^nd, 

Bob, did he die ? " 

"You'll find out," said Bob, "whan I 
tell you the rest of it." 

« What ! is there more to follow ? 

"Yes, it's ' to be continued in our next. 

" I don't know what I've done to deserve 
all this," said Ben, " but I suppose I'll have 



mi'J.'-^'---'-''*''' 



168 CAMPING ON TBS 8T. LAW HENCE. 

to put up with it. Wlien's the next instal- 
ment due?" 

" Not till after we've finished the other 
thing we're to do to-morrow." 

"What other thing?" 

"Oh, that's a secret between Jock and 
me," was Bob's reply, as he rose from the 
bank and started toward the camp, an 
example which all of his companions at 
once followed. 



1 
J' 

4 



BENCK. 

next instal- 
sd the other 



tn Jock and 
)se from the 
e camp, an 
npanions at 




[r 



,."^„.. 







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V 




/'I 







IMAGE EVALUATION 
TEST TARGET (MT-3) 




PhotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 




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Microfiche 

Series. 



CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection de 
microfiches. 




Canadian Instituta for Historical IVIicroraprocluctions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas 







CHAPTER XIV. 

ETHAN TELLS OF THE "JUMPERS." 

With the coming of the morning the 
little brass cannon in the camp on Pine 
Tree Island woke the echoes, and likewise 
the boys, who had not left their tent when 
Jock had gone forth to greet the sunrise. 
There was no sleep to be had, however, 
after the summons, and soon all, except 
Bob, were dressed and waiting for the com- 
ing of Ethan. 

That worthy-was soon discovered, though 
he and Tom came in the sailboat mstead 
of the skifE which they used on ordinary 
occasions, and the sight recalled to Ben the 
« secret " which had been referred to on the 
preceding evening. -r , o» • 

"What's to be done to-day, Jock i m- 
quired Bert, as he stopped to watch the ap- 
proaching craft which was speeding swiftly 
toward them under the strong breeze. 
"You'll have to wait till Ethan comes 

109 



.'■^!^4i^vlS^WHi.lS8C:'" 



170 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



and tells us," answered Jock. " It's never 
safe to reckon without your host, you 
know." 

Ethan and Torn soon landed, and ques- 
tions of the future were soon ignored in 
the immediate prospect of breakfast. Bob 
also had to be aroused, and as that was a 
task which required the combined efforts 
of his friends, by the time it was success- 
fully accomplished breakfast was waiting, 
and all speedily seated themselves before 
the rude little table. 

"I'm thinkin'," said Ethan, "that it 
would be a good day for a trip down the 
river. The wind's good this mornin', and 
if you boys want to try it, I don't know as 
we'll find a better day." 

" That's the thing," said Ben, enthusiasti- 
cally. " How far down do you go, Ethan ? " 

"Oh, that'll depend," replied the boat- 
man, who was usually as averse to giving 
a decided expression of his opinion as any 
lawyer might have been. " We can go as 
far as we want to, if not farther, and then 
if we haven't gone far enough we can go 
farther, I take it." 

" Precisely," laughed Bert. " Thank you, 
Ethan." 



mcE. 



It' 



s never 



host, vou 



and ques- 
gnored in 
ast. Bob 
hat was a 
ed efforts 
,s success- 
s waiting, 
es before 

"that it 
down the 
irnin', and 
t know as 

athusiasti- 
, Ethan?" 
the boat- 
to giving 
on as any 
can go as 
, and then 
ire can go 

hank you, 



ETHAN TELLS OF THE ^^JUMPEBSr 171 

« Ye haven't anything to thank me for," 
replied the boatman, soberly. "I was jest 
givin' you my opinion, that's all." ^^ 

"That's what I was grateful for, said 

Bert. "Ethan, do the people down here 

ever laugh ? " , , . . i _ 

"Laugh? Is'poseso. I don t ]est know 

what ye mean." . 

" Oh, nothing much ; but I've noticed how 
sober everybody was. We've seen a good 
many, but I don't believe I ever heard one 
of them give a real good hearty laugh, i 
didn't know but they'd forgotten how. 

"I guess they don't spend no time grin- 
nin' if that's what ye mean," replied Ethan, 
evidently stirred by the apparent reflection 
upon the people of the region. " I don t 
know as they have the regulation snicker 
some 0' the city folks puts on. I've some- 
times suspicioned that they put on that 
arm o' theirs first thing in the mornm , 
along with their clothes. They say, ' how 
de do,' 'how de do,' an' smile an smile 
jest as if they'd got to do it, same s as 
they'd take a dose o' pickery. I dont 
see no sense in it, for ray part.' ^^ 

"There's comes a big steamer! ex- 
claimed Ben, suddenly pointing up the 



172 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



river as he spoke. " Good-by, fellows! I'm 
o£E!" 

" It's a liner," said Ethan, soberly, paus- 
ing to look at the boat, which was larger 
than any other on the St. Lawrence, and 
which w^as leaving a long trail of thick 
black smoke behind it as it approached. 

" What's a liner ? " inquired Bert. 

"Don't ye know what a liner is? It's a 
line boat." 

"But what is a line boat, Ethan?" per- 
sisted Bert. 

" It's a boat that goes regularly to Mon- 
treal," said Tom. "That's what pa means. It 
gets along here purty early in the morning." 

" What's that young un up to now ? " 
exclaimed Ethan, abruptly. The boys all 
turned at his words, and saw that Ben had 
run down to the bank and launched one of 
the canoes. He leaped on board and, steady- 
ing himself carefully, was already paddling 
out upon the river as if he had gone to meet 
the huge steamer. 

"He's goin' to take the breakers, the 
pesky little reptile," said Ethan, evidently 
annoyed by the recklessness of Ben. "I 
should think he'd had enough o' canoein* 
in rough water for one day." 



'.ENCE. 

lUows! I'm 

aerly, paus- 

was larger 

rrence, and 

1 of thick 

proached. 

ert. 

is ? It's a 

han?" per- 

dy to Mon- 
i means. It 
} morning." 
to now?" 
le boys all 
at Ben had 
jhed one of 
md, steady- 
ly paddling 
one to meet 

Bakers, the 
1, evidently 
: Ben. "I 
o' canoein* 



ETHAN TELLS OF TUE ^^JUMPERSr 178 

Ben, however, was too far out by this 
time to be recalled ; and as the boatman 
probably thought all attempts to summon 
him would be useless, he wisely held his ^ 
peace and stood upon the bank with the 
boys watching the movements of the reckless 
lad The great steamer came steadily ana 
swiftly forward, and Ben almost as swiftly 
advanced to meet it. He was plymg his 
paddle rapidly, and the canoe almost seemed 
to leap over the water. A long line of roll- 
ing waves were upturned by the steamer ii> 
its course, and stretched away like a furrow 
left by a ploughman. ■ ^ ^i 

Ben rested a moment as the great vessel 
came abreast of him and then, quickly dip- 
ning his paddle deep into the water, sent the 
light canoe straight for the tossing waves. 
No one on the bank spoke as they breath- 
lessly watched their companion, and it was 
evident that they all expected to see him 
overturned in the boisterous water 

Soon Ben could be seen as he entered the 
wake of the steamer, the canoe was lifted 
hiffh for a moment and then disappeared 
from sight. Again it rose and seemed 
almost ^ stand upright, but it .ode the 
wave successfully and agam went down 






174 CAMPING ON TUE ST. LAWRENCE. 

into the trough of the sea. So up pnd 
down, tossed like a leaf on the stream, the 
little canoe held to its course, and it soon 
became apparent that Ben was master of 
the situation. 

" He done it," remarked Ethan, forcefully 
if not grammatically, and a sigh of relief 
escaped from his companions as they 
perceived that Ben was safe. 

Jock quickly turned, and the brass can- 
non belched forth its salute to the passing 
vessel. The delight of the boys was great 
when they saw a little cloud of steam shoot 
upward from the steamer and the heavy 
whistle acknowledged the salutation. Some 
of the passengers on the deck waved their 
handkerchiefs, and not to be outdone Bert 
seized the tablecloth from the table, from 
which the dishes already had been cleared, 
and waved it in response to the salutes 
from the deck. 

There was another cloud of fluttering 
handkerchiefs waved at them from the 
deck, and then the great steamer passed 
on its way to the largest of Canadian 

cities. 

Ben by this time had returned to the 
camp, and as he landed and lifted the 



HENUE. 

So up ?nd 

stream, the 

and it soon 

s master of 

,n, forcefully 
igh of relief 
is as they 

e brass can- 
the passing 
ys was great 
steam shoot 
, the heavy 
ition. Some 
waved their 
jutdone Bert 
1 table, from 
aeen cleared, 
1 the salutes 

of fluttering 
m from the 
lamer passed 
of Canadian 

irned to the 
id lifted the 



ETHAN TELLS OF THE ^^JUMPERSr 1T5 

canoe to its place on the bank, Ethan 
^^^:!Ttrl"af:iisrrislctotaUe,boy. 

^!;^^ht\'rantiVr how it seemed^ 

take those breakers," was the reply. Be- 
sides, I thought it was a good time to put 

my ability to the test; 

« Ye haven't got no ability, replied 
T?iV,ar, arufflv "It was a foolish tncK; 
^^dTf y^ten spnied and got drowned, 
I'd had the blame of it. 

"I knew you were close by, MBan, 

protested Ben. "I o^-}^^\^'Z To H 
you were in camp. I ju't had to do it 
you see, for I wasn't going to let that 
Snoe g;t the better of -• J» «^»« ^^ 
learn how to manage one while I m here 
I get tipped over a dozen times. 

^< Ye ought to be careful, though, said 
Ethan, evidently mollified by Bens words 
of praise. "I didn't believe a city fellow 

would have so much gnt. ,. , u 

"you don't know us yeV replied Ben, 

with a laugh. 

Ethan said nothing mo«, »^ »* °"^ 
gave his attention to fittmg out die sail 
toat. This ta^k was soon completed, and 



176 CAMPINO ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 



the eager boys at once took their placi-s on 
board. 

"Have you got everything we shall 
want?" inquired Jock, before they set sail. 

" I don't know whether I've got every- 
thing ye want, but I've got everything ye 
need," said Ethan. 

" Got those ' p'is'n things ' ? " inquired 
Ben, soberly. 

"Yes, I've got the pies an' things," re- 
plied Ethan, shortly. "Now, if ye've got 
no further speeches to make, we'll cast ofiE." 

The boat was soon free from the dock, 
and, as the sail filled, it began to move 
swiftly over the river. There was a strong 
breeze, and aided by the swift current the 
boat drew rapidly away from the island. 
Ethan held the tiller, and when, after he 
had satisfied himself that nothing had been 
neglected, he at last took his seat, and gazed 
about him with a smile of contentment upon 
his sunburned face. 

"This is something like it, boys!" ex- 
claimed Ben, as he looked about him over 
the great river. 

The wooded islands, the glistening waters 
of the river, the strong breeze, and, above 
all, the swift motion of the boat, lent an 



'RENCE. 

eir placL^s on 

ig we shall 
they set sail, 
e got every- 
verything ye 

?" inquired 

things," re- 
if ye've got 
e'll cast ofiE." 
•m the dock, 
jan to move 
was a strong 
i current the 

the island, 
len, after he 
ing had been 
at, and gazed 
sntment upon 

, boys ! " ex- 
)ut him over 

;ening waters 
3, and, above 
3oat, lent an 



ETHAN TELLS OF THE -JUMPEHS." 177 

additional delight to those who were on 

board. , . 

Camps, not unlike their osvn, were passed . 
cottages, on the piazzas of which groups of 
people could be seen ; the beautiful fet. Law- 
rence skiffs, in which were men starting 
forth on an errand like that which had 
taken our boys a few days before to Goose 
Bay, were noted, and all were enthusiasti- 
cally greeted. Occasionally some beautiful 
steam-yacht would meet them on its way 
up the river, and in response to their hail 
would toot forth its salute. Altogether the 
scene and experience were so novel and in- 
spiring that the boys all felt the exhilara- 
tion, and their delight was unbounded. ^^ 

" Do ye see that island over there ? in- 
quired Ethan, pointing as he spoke to one 
which lay between them and the shore. 

The boys all glanced in the direction, and 
then the boatman said, "They had a fracas 
there in the Civil War with the bounty 

^""^ Bounty jumpers? What are they?" 
said Ben, innocently. 

Ethan gave him a look which was ^Imost 
one of contempt, and then said, " I thought 
you was goin' to college." 



178 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAn'llESCK. 

" I am," said Ben ; " but I don't go be- 
cause I know it all, but because 1 don't. 
If I knew as much as you do, Ethan, per- 
haps I shouldn't go." 

" Ye don't know much for a fact," replied 
Ethan, soberly. " I s'pose ye'll be studyin' 
Latin and Greek and lots o' such 'tarnal 
nonsense when ye git there. If there was 
a six-year-old boy 'round here that didn't 
know what a bounty jumper was, I'd send 
him to the 'sylum, I would, for a fact. 
Have ye found out how many teeth a cow 
has on her upper jaw yet ? " 

" Not yet," laughed Ben, good-naturedly. 
"What's that got to do with bounty 
jumpers?" 

" A bounty jumper," began Ethan, ignor- 
ing the question, " was a man what jumped 
his bounty." 

"How far did he jump? What made 
him jump, anyway, Ethan? " said Bob. 

"He jumped straight into Canada, and 
then he jumped back again." 

"^Was he any relation to the wise man 
who jumped into the bramble bush ? Ever 
hear that story, Ethan ? It's a good one. 
Jock knows it, and he'll tell it to you if you 
want him to," said Bob. 




H'llKNCK. 

don't go be- 
ause 1 don't. 
3, Ethan, per- 

fact," replied 
11 be stiidyin' 
such 'tarnal 
If there was 
e that didn't 
was, I'd send 
, for a fact. 
y teeth a cow 

>od-naturedly. 
with bounty 

Ethan, ignor- 
what jumped 

What made 
said Bob. 
Canada, and 

the wise man 

bush ? Ever 

1 a good one. 

, to you if you 



ETIIAS TELLS OF THE "JUMrERSr 170 

■ « Tell us about the bounty jumpers," in- 
terru|)ted Jock, quickly. 

" Well," began Ethan, slowly, " you know, 
they was a-offerin a bounty of a thousand 
dollars to every man who'd enlist." 

"When?" interrupted Bob. "Was it 
during the War of 1812 ? " 

"No. 'Twas in the secesh war, ttiat« 

when it was." < iai9 

« You weren't here when the War of 181^ 

broke out, were you, Ethan?" inquired 

Bob, soberly. , _., 

Ignoring the laugh which followed, Ethan 
went on: "They wanted men putty bad in 
the Civil War, and so they offered a thou- 
sand dollars to every one whod enlist^ 
Well, lots enlisted ; and then, after they d 
got their money, they'd leave the army and 
put straight for this river, and git over into 
Canada. Then they'd cross over the border 
somewhere, and enlist somewhere else, take 
another thousand dollars and light out for 
Canada again. 'Twas a payin ]ob m those 
days ; paid better'n drivin' a horse-car down 
to the city. There were regular * bounty 
brokers,' as they were called, to help these 
rascals, and finally the government sent 
some provost marshals up here to look out 



i\A 



> f. 



180 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

for these fellows, and one of the liveliest 
tilts happened right by that island. 

"There was a camp o' the jumpers on 
that island, and they had come to be as 
bold as ye please. There was so many on 
'em that they felt pretty secure like, and 
besides, the wife o' one o' the men lived in 
a little house right on the shore. She used 
to go to school with me an' your pa," he 
added, turning to Jock as he spoke, " and 
he'd know her name in a minute if I should 
tell ye what it was. Well, she used to come 
out and wave a white cloth at the camp, 
and then her husband, or some other fellow, 
would come ashore an' get what she cooked 
up for 'em. 

" One of the marshals found out the trick 
an' he made up his mind he'd get some o' 
th'jse fellows ; so one day he came down to 
the house, and as he wasn't dressed up like 
a soldier, jest wore ordinary clothes like 
yours or mine," he explained as he glanced 
at the boys, not one of whom changed the 
expression upon his face as he was ad- 
dressed, " and so, though the woman was 
pretty suspicious, she didn't think he was 
on the lookout. Pretty quick she went out 
o' the house and waved the cloth, for she 



I. 



■RENCE. 

the liveliest 
i,nd. 

jumpers on 
ne to be as 
so many on 
re like, and 
aen lived in 
). She used 
our pa," he 
spoke, " and 
e if I should 
ised to come 
b the camp, 
)ther fellow, 
b she cooked 

)ut the trick 
get some o' 
ime down to 
sssed up like 
clothes like 
3 he glanced 
changed the 
he was ad- 
woman was 
link he was 
ihe went out 
oth, for she 



ETHAN TELLS OF THE ''JUMPERS." 181 

probably thought the men were gettin' hun- 
gry, and then a boat left the camp, and when 
it came pretty close to the shore the mar- 
shal, who was a-peekin' out o' the window, 
saw the very man he wanted most of all — 
this woman's husband. 

" He waited till the boat was close in, and 
then he rushed out and yelled to the man to 
give himself up, and to strengthen his argu- 
ment pulled out a pistol. The man was 
scared like at first, but the woman wasn't 
a mite, an' she jest yelled out, * Don't ye 
do it. Bill; don't ye do it.' At that the 
marshal began to make his pistol pop, an' 
he fired all six o' the cartridges, an' never 
once touched the man or the boat, either." 
" Is every man hereabouts as good a shot 
as that?" drawled Bob. 

" I'm thinkin' they shoot as well as they 
do anywhere," replied Ethan. 

•'Well, some o' the marshal's friends 
came up, an' they went into the house to 
make themselves to home. They waited 
all night, an' a neighbor came in an' told 
them the jumpers was fixin' to come ashore 
and shoot every one of 'em. Jest then they 
heard a drum an' fife over in the camp, and 
they fixed up the house to stand a siege. 






U i 



182 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 






■3 ! 



•f ' ■ 






They barricaded the doors and windows, 
and waited for deserters, an' likewise for 
the mornin'. 

"The mornin' came, but the jumpers 
didn't ; an' as the camp was too strong to 
be attacked, the marshal an' his friends 
cleared out afore noon and left the region. 
But that scrape happened right over there 
by that island. I could tell ye a whole lot 
more o' stories o' the jumpers, but I've got 
to look out for this boat now, or ye'll all 
be goin' down to the bottom instead of 
down the river." 

As Ethan spoke, he quickly rose and 
began to give some sharp directions to 
Tom. Apparently they were needed, for 
the boat was moving with wonderful speed 
now. As the boys looked over into the 
river they could see that the swiftness of 
the current had greatly increased. The 
waters ran like those in a mill-race, and it 
almost seemed as if the boat had been lifted 
by some unseen and mighty hand, and 
thrown forward with incredible swiftness. 
No one, save Ethan, spoke, and the white 
faces of the boys indicated that the alarm 
which they thought their boatman had dis- 
played was shared by them all. 




DENCE. 

id windows, 
likewise for 



;he jumpers 

00 strong to 
his friends 

t the region. 
it over there 
; a whole lot 
but I've got 
, or ye' 11 all 

1 instead of 

ly rose and 
lirections to 

needed, for 
iderful speed 
ver into the 

swiftness of 
■eased. The 
1-race, and it 
id been lifted 
f hand, and 
>le swiftness, 
nd the white 
at the alarm 
iman had dis- 



CHAPTER XV. 

IN A FOREIGN LAND. 

On either side the boys could see great 
eddies in the stream, in which the water 
whirled as if it were twisted about on some 
unseen axis. The boat itself was moving 
swiftly, and as it was swept onward by the 
current, they of course could not fully per- 
ceive.the motion of the river. The experi- 
ence was a novel one, and the alarm of the 
boys was but natural. 

Thek confidence was in a measure re- 
stored when they saw that Ethan appar- 
ently was not frightened, and as he noticed 
them watching intently a whirling eddy off 
to their right, he laughed and said, — ^ 
"That's a pretty good twister, isn't it, 

boys ? " I - , , 

" Yes," replied Bert. " What would hap- 
pen to us if we should be caught in it ? " 
^'Nothin'. Nothin' at all." 
As the boys looked up in surprise, he con- 
tinued, " There's a mighty sight o' difference 

188 



•III 
■ij ij 



184 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

between the eddy and the current, let me '.ell 
you. Some folks mistake one for the other 
in more ways than one, I'm thinkin'. In 
my paper, which comes reg'lar every Friday, 
I sometimes read the most alarmin' articles. 
I suppose the men that write them think 
they're all true enough, an' they really are 
afraid the country is goin' to the dogs. 
When I read 'em I confess I'm a bit skeered 
at times ; for what with the strikes an' riots 
an' all sorts o' things that happen, it does 
look like as if it was goin' to be a bit of a 
blow ; but I look out o' the window o' my 
house, an' I see the great river arhurryin' on 
as if it was all the while afraid it would be 
late, or wouldn't get there on tune. But I 
see more'n the current, for I see some big 
eddies, too. They whirl an' boil as if there 
was a big fire down below, an' when I see 
'em I always think that some folks can't 
tell the difference between a eddy and the 
stream. Then I make up my mind that 
that's what's the trouble with those news- 
paper fellows. They've seen a eddy and 
mistook it for the current : an' all the time 
the great stream is a-goin' on jist as smooth 
and swift as ye please. This river is a great 
teacher, in my opinion." 



\ENCE. 

, let me '.ell 
•r the other 
inkin'. In 
ery Friday, 
lin' articles, 
them think 
y really are 

the dogs, 
bit skeered 
ces an' riots 
pen, it does 
3 a bit of a 
ttdow o' my 
-hurryin' on 
it would be 
ime. But I 
Be some big 
l1 as if there 
when I see 

folks can't 
ddy and the 
■f mind that 
those news- 
a eddy and 
all the time 
st as smooth 
rer is a great 



IN A FOREIGN LAND. 



185 



Ethan's quaint words served to quiet the 
fears of the boys, though doubtless they 
failed to appreciate the deeper philosophy 
which lay beneath them. At all events, 
they soon perceived that the river was 
calmer now, and that the boat was not mov- 
ing at the s^ed it had had a few minutes 

^^That must have been one of the rapids, 
wasn't it, Ethan ? " inquired Jock. 

"Rapids? I rather guess not. ihat 
spot's no more like the rapids than a milk 
p^l's like a mill-pond. No, sn.'. When ye 
strike the rapids, ye'll know It. Its most 
Uke slidin' down hill on water. 
. " But how do the boats come up the river, 
then ? " queried Ben. " They do;orne up, 
for I see them every day. I ^^^^^^yj ^^f ^?^^ 
they could get through the rapids, if they re 
like what you say they are." 

« No more they don't." ^ 

As the boys looked blankly at him, Eu:an 
laughed and said, " They come up the canal. 
Com-se they can't get through the rapids. 
« I didn't know there was a canal, saitt 

"Humph," grunted the boatman; but it 
was evident that his opinion of their knowl- 






l\ 



186 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

edge was but slight, in spite of the fact that 
they had endeavored to impress him with 
the entrance into college .they had all 
gained. 

" Are we going down to the rapids to- 
day ? " inquired Bert. 

"To-day ? Well, I guess not," said Ethan, 
decidedly. " How far down the river d'ye 
think them rapids be ?" 

" I didn't know," protested Bert, hastily. 
" I only asked for information." 

" We'll go down there some time, but 
we'll have to make a two or three day trip 
of it. Even this boat o' mine, and she's no 
laggard, I'd have ye understand, couldn't 
make it in a day. But we're goin' down 
there. There's fishin' below the Longue 
Seaut that leaves Goose Bay and Eel Bay 
and all the spots among the islands in the 
shade." 

" What do they catch ? " inquired Bob. 

"Fish." 

" Oh ! " And Bob lapsed into silence once 
more. 

Indeed, it was becoming more and more 
difficult to deal with Ethan ; and his esti- 
mate of their knowledge, or rather their 
lack of it, was so apparent that they began 



JS 



HENCE. 

he fact that 
8 him with 
ey had all 

! rapids to- 
said Ethan, 
i river d'ye 

iert, hastily. 

B time, but 
ree day trip 
md she's no 
id, couldn't 
goin' down 
the Longue 
nd Eel Bay 
ands in the 

lired Bob. 

silence once 

•e and more 

md his esti- 

rather their 

they began 



IN A FOREIGN LAND. 



187 



to feel as if they were the embodiment of 
the city greenhorns he had - —p u- 
ously referred to when they had first en- 

*' For' aTime there was silence on board, 
and the boys all gave themselves up to the 
"joyment of the hour. In the distance 
were the shores, and in various places 
the farmers could be seen at their work^ 
The farmhouses, low and quaint, appeared 
here and there, and the cottages, though 
iess numerous than among the Thousand 
Islands were still much in evidence, 
"d on some high bluff, along the 
shore, or built in groups in some grove 
they continually presented a spectacle of 
life far different from that which wa« to 
be seen in the towns or cities. 

To Ethan their coming was the most 
natural thing in the world, for where cotUd 
another such region be.found - tha^^^^^^^^^ 
the borders of the majestic St- J^*^"^^"".^ , 
The only thing against which he rebd^^d 
was the price paid for the spot on which 
. Tol cottage h'^ been erected and a^^^^ 

passed the summer homes he ^6^^^";^^^ 
ferred to the amount of money which had 
been paid for the lota. 



i A 



188 CAMPINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"That's where Tod Church lives," he 
explained, pointing as he spoke to a low 
farmhouse on the shore, near which stood 
several modest cottages. 

"Is that so?" replied Bob seriously, as 
if the abode of Tod was a matter of intense 
interest to him. " Was he in the War of 
1812 too ? " 

"No; he wasn't. Tod's a young man. 
He's only fifty-nine, jest three months 
younger'n I be. But Tod's got rich ! " 

"You don't mean it!" exclaimed the 
serious Bob. " How did the aforesaid Tod 
acquire his wealth ? " 

" He didn't do nuthin', an' yet he's well 
off, Tod is. Some folks is born lucky. 
That's all the difference there is between 
folks, in my opinion. Some has luck for 
'em and some has it agin 'em." 

"And Tod had it with him, did he?" 
inquired Bob. 

" He did that. His father left him well 
fixed, for Tod had the house and fifty acres 
o' land all clear. And now he's gone an' 
sold some lots up there on that bluff where 
he couldn't raise nothin', and he's got two 
thousan' dollars in clean money for 'em. 
Neow if that isn't luck, then I don't know 



'.ENCE. 

lives," he 
e to a low 
rhich stood 

eriously, as 
r of intense 
the War of 

'oung man. 
ee months 
rich!" 
slaimed the 
Dresaid Tod 

^et he's well 

born lucky. 

is between 

Las luck for 

I, did he?" 

3ft him well 
d fifty acres 
}'s gone an' 

bluff where 
le's got two 
ley for 'em. 

don't know 



IN A FOREIGN LAND. 



189 



what luck is." said Eton impressivdy^ 
.. He iest works when he feels like it, and 
when he doesn't, he doesn't. Jes takes 
to ease and comes an' goes when an where 
he pleases, an' doesn't ask no odds of 

"tpttanate youth !" murniured Bob ; 
and again sUence came upon the party. 

For an hour more they si«d on before 
the breeze, which still contmued strong^ 
The 1 wa« high in the heavens, and 

Tross the bright blue of the sky occjna 
masses of silver-colored clouds pass«l. It 
was a perfect summer day, and the deep 
;"« which rested over all things seemed 

t include the boys in its embrace. The 
toafwas handled perfectly by Ethan and 
Tom and it must have required men made 
!j°S«erent material from ^at -n our.^^ 
not to feel the keen delight of Imng 
lidst such surroundings. The riish and 
roar of the city were things ^.P^^*!" ^ 
be imagined, and even the grind of the 
dosing days in school, and the prospect of 
the hard work in college, were all vague 

and meaningless. -pthan?" 

*^ What's that place ahead, Mhan r 
' suddenly exclaimed Jock, sitting erect as 



* 



If 



§ 



f! 



190 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WHENCE. 

he spoke, and pointing to a place of con- 
siderable size to their left. 

" Brockville." 

" Why don't we stop there and get 
dinner ? " 

" I've got something for ye to eat aboard 
the boat." 

"I know that; but we'll want it all on 
our way back." 

" It'll cost ye four shillin' apiece for your 
dinner if ye go to the hotel, though I know 
another place where ye can get it for three 
shillin' ; but I'm not sure the place is bein' 
run now." 

"Never mind the cost, Ethan," said 
Jock, recklessly. "We're out for a time 
of it, and even such extravagance can be 
put up with once in a lifetime." 

" Jest as you say," replied Ethan, though 
it was evident that he felt in a measure 
responsible for the expenditures of the lads 
under his care. 

The dock was soon gained, and as Ethan 
made his boat fast, the light-hearted boys 
leaped ashore. " Come on, Ethan ! Come 
on, Tom," said Jock. " We'll go up to the 
hotel and get our dinner." 

"Who? Me ! " exclaimed the boatman 
in surprise. 



J 



tutf — ■ — ~" ~~ 
iENCE. 

ace of r'on- 

e and get 

> eat aboard 

nt it all on 

Bce for your 

ugh I know 

it for three 

lace is bein' 

than," said 

for a time 

mce can be 

han, though 
I a measure 
) of the lads 

nd as Ethan 
learted boys 
[lan ! Come 
go up to the 

the boatman 



IN A rOHEIGN LAND. 

•'Yes, you. You and Tom too. Come 

on, both of you." y.- -l, a a. 

" No " said Ethan, shakmg his head de- 
cidedly'. " I ain't a-goin' to pay no four 
shillin" for a dinner when I've got enough 
to eat aboard my boat." ^ 

" Well, let Tom come, anyway, urged 
Jock, perceiving that Ethan was not willmg . 
to accept the invitation. "We should be 
glad to have both of you come, and we 11 
stand treat for the dinners." 

Ethan was about to refuse permission for 
Tom to accompany the boys, but perceiving 
the look of intense desire upon his son s 
face, and as Jock increased his solicitations, 
he relented, and together the boys started 

up the street. 

It was nearly two hours later when they 
returned, and as Ethan perceived them, he 
said, « I hope ye got yer money s worth, 

^"""'it wasn't our fault if we didn't," laughed 
Jock " Now, Ethan, we want to look about 
the place a little. Will you come with us ? ' 
«I s'pose I'd better, or ye'll git lost, re- 
plied the boatman ; and soon afterward the 
little party was walking about the town, 
which, in its architecture and life, presented 




192 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWHENCE, 



II 



i^ll 



many contrasts to that with which they were 
more familiar. 

When they approached the public build- 
ings, Ethan related the story of the rescue 
which a party of American soldiers had 
made there in the War of 1812. It seemed 
that a considerable body of prisoners had 
been secured by the British, and confined in 
the jail at Brockville, or Elizabethtown, as 
the place was known in the earlier days. 
Their friends on the other side of the river 
had assembled for their rescue, and crossed 
the ice one dark night and fell upon the 
guard, and at last secured the release of 
their fellows. Ethan told tbo story with 
many quaint additions of his own, and we 
may be sure his young friends were deeply 
interested. 

" This is a great country," said Ben, when 
Ethan ceased. " It's historic ground from 
one end of the river to the other." 

"I s'pose so," remarked Ethan, quietly, 
" though I don't take much interest in such 
things. Folks is queer. They call it hia- 
t'ry when a lot o' men git up with guns 
and shoot at one another; but when they 
are peaceable like, and just 'tend to their 
farms an' mind their own business, then it 




HENCE. 

)h they were 

rablic build- 
i the rescue 
ioldiers had 
It seemed 
risoners had 
I confined in 
)ethtown, as 
iarlier days, 
of the river 
and crossed 
ill upon the 
e release of 
I story with 
)wn, and we 
were deeply 

d Ben, when 
jround from 
ir." 

Iian, quietly, 
erest in such 
y call it his- 
p with guns 
t when they 
end to their 
ness, then it 




J?i A FOBEtGN LAND. 

Mi. any l.i.fry at all. I've «'«- » """^ 
TaUeX\ nL up at the bay or Clayton 
^around ., n.an whaf» drunk, but when a 
n an i» »ol».r and decent they don't pay no 
Con" him at all. It seem, to me th. 
.hUt'ry' youTe talkin' about « a good deal 

"'"wit is," admitted Ben. "I hadn't 

thought o£ it before/' 

On their way back to tne Doa 
.tooted to make a few purchases, and eare- 
Sly «^wed the packages on board when 

^-fwif^ a bit farther down the rive^- 
he said, as' he headed the boat down th. 

-!Sha:,:hirhryrs.tho.bun. 

^'!!LiXt^y wile wanted me. git. 
Can buy 'em cheaper over here. 

..But they'U cost you as mueh .iter 

anyd:;',rdli'to know r' replied Ethan, 

'"'thy, I thought everybody had to pay 

, that when they bought thi-B"'" Canada^ 

"Well, I'm not goin- to. Id like to know 



fi\ 



I 



'm, 



■'I i'i i 






Sill 



194 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

why I can't buy things in Brockville if 1 take 
a notion, 'specially when they're cheaper." 

"But I thought everybody up here be- 
lievetl in a high tariff, and voted for it." 

" So they do. We ain't a-goin' to have 
them come over into our country and com- 
pete with us ! Not much ! " 

" How can you buy over there and not 
pay duty, then ? " 

" Hey ? What's that ye say ? Ye act as 
if ye thought I'd been stealin'. Most every- 
body does it, an' I guess it's all fair enough. 
Did you pay duty for that dinner ye et up to 
the hotel ? Ye brought some things away 
inside o' ye, an' I brought some outside o' 
me. Tell me the difference, will ye?" 

" Ben ought to have paid," laughed Bob. 
" When a man buys food by the wholesale, 
he ought to pay duty, I'm sure." 

Ethan said no more, and as the boys were 
not disposed to dispute the strange ethics in 
which he evidently believed, the party once 
more became silent. 

An hour later Ethan sighted a steam- 
yacht coming up the river, and in response 
to his hail it stopped and took the boat in 
tow. This made the returning voyage easy, 
and added to the novelty as well ; and just 



^aUwiTi*! i».fftw*i»"*-~ 



VRENCE. 

ville if 1 take 
re cheaper." 
up here be- 
3d for it." 
join' to have 
try and cora- 

lere and not 

? Ye act as 
Most every- 
fair enough. 

jr ye et up to 

things away 

ne outside o' 

iUye?" 

laughed Bob. 

lie wholesale, 

he boys were 
nge ethics in 
le party once 

ted a steam- 
1 in response 
c the boat in 
voyage easy, 
ell ; and just 



m A FOREION LAND. 

before dusk the line \yas cast off, and the 
boat was headed for the camp, where soon 
after the boys arrived safely. ^^ 

"I'll get ye some supper now, saia 
Ethan, as he and Tom at once began their 
preparations for the evening meal. 

"Good for you, Ethan ! " said Ben. " All 
the 'p'is'n things' you had on board have 
been long since exhausted." 

"So I noticed. I wonder sometimes if 
there's anything that will fill ye up."^ 
« Your supper will, I'm sure." ^'^ 

"I'll try it, though I'm doubtful, re- 
plied the boatman, grimly. 

A little later he left the tent and ap- 
proached the boys, holding something in 
his hands. " Somebody's been here while 
we've been gone," he said. « They ve left 
a letter and their tickets." ,,,.,,„ 

Jock received the note and the tickets, 
as Ethan called the visiting cards, and tear- 
ing open the missive he read it and then 
said • " Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have been here, 
fellows. They have left an invitation for 
us. Keep still and I'll read it." 

He read the letter aloud, and ma 
moment his friends were as interested in 
the contents as he himself had been. 



n'' 



CHAPTER XVI. 



AN ALARM IN THE CAMP. 



The note extended a cordial invitation 
to the boys to dine at " The Rocks " on 
the following day, and Mr. Clarke offered 
to send his yacht to convey them to his 
island. The dinner was to be in the 
middle of the day, in accordance with 
the custom of the region, and as that 
fact left the afternoon practically free, 
all the party were eager to accept. Per- 
haps it was not merely the expected 
pleasure of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, 
or of enjoying a trip in his yacht, which 
was acknowledged to be one of the most 
beautiful and fleet on the entire river, 
which moved them; but if other induce- 
ments, not referred to in the note of invi- 
tation, did appear, no one mentioned 
them. 

After supper, when Ethan prepared to 
depart from the camp, Tom said, " I think 

196 



-** 



AN ALARM IN THE CAMP. 



197 



MP. 

1 invitation 
Rocks " on 
arke offered 
;hem to his 

be in the 
•dance with 
nd as that 
tically free, 
ccept. Per- 
le expected 
klrs. Clarke, 
acht, which 
Df the most 
jntire river, 
ther induce- 
lote of invi- 

mentioned 

prepared to 
d, " I think 



I'll wait a little while, pa. I'll come home 
in a couple of hours." 

" All right, son," responded Ethan. " I 
think ye'd better take one o' the canoes 
when ye start, and leave the skiff with 
the boys. It'll be safer like, ye see, if 
they take it uito their heads to go out 
on the river." 

Ben made a wry face at the implied slight 
on their ability to use the canoes, but no 
one spoke, and the boatman soon departed. 
"I wanted you to hear me speak my 
piece again, if you would," said Tom, 
when his father had gone. "I know I 
don't do it very well, and as you have had 
so much better advantages than I have, I'd 
like to have you help me, if you will." 

Before any one could reply, Bert made a 
sudden dart from the camp-fire and was 
speedily followed by Jock. "What's the 
matter with those boys?" inquired Tom, 
innocently, as he glanced up at the depart- 
ing lads. 

" I don't think they feel very well," re- 
plied Bob, soberly. 

"They don't? Do you want me to go 
over to the bay and get a doctor? It 
won't take an hour." 



'** 



198 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



ill! 
ill 






H 



m 



" No physician can reach the seat of their 
trouble," said Ben, solemnly. "It's deeper 
than any human skill can go." 

" You don't mean it ! Perhaps I'd bet- 
ter wait and not ask you to hear me speak 
my piece to-night." 

" Oh, that won't make any difference. 
Ben, here, is perfectly willing to hear you. 
In fact, he enjoys it; and while you are 
speaking, I'll go and look up the other fel- 
lows, and see what I can do to help them." 

Bob's evident desire to escape was all 
unnoticed by the unsuspecting Tom, and as 
soon as he was left alone with Ben, he 
began to speak. For a half -hour or more 
the camp resounded with, " Tew be or not 
tew be-e-e," but no one returned to disturb 
the orator until the practice had been 
ended. 

Then, as the three lads came back, Tom 
said, " I'm sorry, boys, that you don't feel 
well. I told Bob I'd go over to the bay for 
a doctor, but he said you didn't want any." 

" No physician in Alexandria Bay could 
prescribe for those boys when they get an 
attack of self-abasement. It's a serious 
matter." 

" There's one thing about it," said Jock, 



wmm 



VRENCE. 

} seat of their 
"It's deeper 

haps I'd bet- 
ear me speak 

ly difference. 

to hear you. 
hile you are 
the other fel- 
) help them." 
cape was all 

Tom, and as 
r'xih. Ben, he 
lOur or more 
'ew be or not 
led to disturb 
se had been 

le back, Tom 
ou don't feel 
to the bay for 
't want any." 
ria Bay could 
1 they get an 
t's a serious 

t," said Jock, 



All ALARM IN THE CAMP. 



199 



" and that is, that Bob, here, isn't likely 

to catch it." 

Tom, evidently, did not appreciate the 
point, but he nevertheless accepted Jock's 
invitation to remain, and stretched himself 
on the grass before the roaring camp-fire 
with the others. 

"I was about to remark the other even- 
ing, when my irreverent friend interrupted 
me," began Bob, "that Cartier came back 

here." 

" Bob, are you going on with that yarn i 

demanded Ben. 

" No yarn about it. I'm going to help 
you fellows to see the point for once in 

your lives." 

" You mean you're going to try to make 
a point some one can see," retorted Ben. 
« Well, wake me up when you come to the 
point. Life's too short to spend it in try- 
ing to understand Bob's stuff. If he ever 
comes to* a point, let me know ; " and Ben 
rolled over upon the grass, and covering his 
face with his hat, pretended to be sleeping. 

«Go on with your Cartier," said Bert. 
" I don't know what we've done to deserve 
all this, but if we've got to have it, then 
the sooner it's done the better." 




U'l 



200 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" Cartier," began Bob, giving the name 
a peculiar emphasis to expose Bert's igno- 
rance, "made a great stir when he got back 
to St. Malo, — that was in September, 1534, 
as I said,— and the king was tickled most 
of all. He immediately promised to fit out 
a new expedition, and a lot of the young 
nobles and swells wanted to join. Cartier 
was the rage, you see, and even the chil- 
dren cried for him ; and as for the ladies, 
why, even brass buttons didn't count along 
with Jakie's commission as 'captain and 
pilot of the king.' 

"About the middle of the next May 
everything was ready, and Cartier and his 
men went up to the cathedral together, and 
special services were held for them, and the 
bishop gave them his blessing. Having 
looked after that part of it, Cartier then 
took his men aboard his squadron and set 
sail. He had three vessels this time, though 
I don't just recall the names of them." 
" La Grande Hermione, La Petite Hermir 
, one, and VEmMlonr suggested Tom, who 
had been listening attentively. 

"Thaak you," replied Bob, somewhat 
confused, to the evident delight of his com- 
panions. "Those were the names. Well, 




the name 
ert's igno 
e got back 
(iber, 1534, 
jkled moat 
d to fit out 

the young 
n. Cartier 
n the chil- 

the ladies, 
jount along 
aptain and 

next May 
ier and hia 
agether, and 
em, and the 
g. Having 
Cartier then 
Iron and set 
time, though 

them." 
'i^etite Hernd- 
ed Tom, who 

b, somewhat 
it of his com- 
ames. Well, 



AN ALARM IN THE CAMP. 



201 



they hadn't been out on the ocean saihng 
very long before they were separated by 
the storms, but after a rough passage they 
finally came together in the straits of Belle 

Isle " 

''At the inlet of Blanc Sablon," suggested 

T laugh greeted his words ; but though 
Tom's face flushed, he soon perceived that 
he was not the cause of the merriment, and 
though he could not understand Bob a mo- 
mentary confusion, he, too, jomed m the 
good-natured laughter. 

« On the last day of July they sailed to 
the westward and started up the St. Law- 
rence. It was the first day of September 
when Cartier found the mouth of the Sague- 
nay, and the fourteenth when he came to a 
little river about thirty miles from Quebec, 
which he named the Sainte Croix. The 
next day an Indian came to see him - ^ 

" Hold on, Bob, isn't that enough ? in- 
quired Bert, in apparent despair. 

« The Indian was an Algonqum chief with 
a funny name — " 

«Donnacona," suggested Tom, mildly. 
Again a loud laugh greeted his word, and 
the abashed Tom subsided. 



f«V.:^ 




202 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" That's right ; that's what it was," sa=d 
Bob, quickly. "Thank you, Tom. Well, 
Cartier had the two Indians with hini 
whom he had taken to France, and so he 
could hold a powwow with this Algonquin, 
but I haven't time to tell you what they 

talked about." 

« Oh, yes. Please tell us," pleaded Bert, 

in mock eagerness. 

*' No, I can't stop — " 

" You're right. You can't tell, and you 
can't stop, either, till you're run down." 

"As a result of the interview, Cartier 
left two of his vessels there, and, taking 
the rEminllon, he sailed up the river as 
far as Lake St. Peter, but he found a bar 

"What?" exclaimed Bert, sitting sud- 
denly erect. 

" A bar. That's what I said." 

" Was he looking for a bar all this time ? 
Didn't they have any farther down the 
river? I'm ashamed of Carter. I didn't 
believe he was that kind of a man." 

"This was a sand bar," laughed Bob, 
" and blocked his way, so he left the ship's 

crew there — " j t, «* 

"The ship's screw?" interrupted 15ert. 



i"i 



'NCE. 

Aras," sa'd 
m. Well, 
with him 
and so he 
Ugonquin, 
what they 

aded Bert, 



11, and you 
down." 
iw, Cartier 
nd, taking 
ae river as 
)und a bar 

litting sud- 



l this time ? 
down the 
. I didn't 
an." 

ughed Bob, 
ft the ship's 

upted Bert. 



AN ALAnM IS THE CAUP. 



208 



"Now I know you're giving us a fairytale. 
Ships didn't have any screws then. I hey 
hadn't been invented. Even side-wheelers 
weren't known then." 

'• I didn't say ship's screw. I said ship s 
crew. Can't you understand plam Eng- 
lish''" 

« That's what I said, too, the ship's screw. 
Didn't I, fellows?" appealed Bert, turning 
to his companions. 

" There's a big difference^ between a 
ship's screw and a ship's crew." 

" Perhaps you can see it, but 1 can t. a 
ship's screw is a ship's screw, and that s all 
there is to it," protested Bert, solemnly. ^^ 
« All right ; have it your own way, 
said Bob. " Cartier left his behmd him, 
anyway, and with three of his men took a 
little boat and came on up the river, and 
on October 2d arrived at Montreal, which 
he called Mount Royal." 

"What did he call it that for? Why 
didn't he call it what the people there 
called it? I believe in callmg things by 
their right names, I do." 

«Tt had an Indian name which 1 dont 
at this moment recall — " 
" Ask Tom," suggested Bert. 



V 




204 CAMPING ON TIIK ST. LAWRENCE. 

"Hochelaga," said Tom, in response to 

the appeal. 

"What did you say, Tom?" inquired 

Bert, soberly. 

« Hochelaga," laughed Tom. 
" Oh ! Then that was the place where 
the bar you spoke of was, was it. Bob? 
Pardon me. Pray resume your fascinating 
disquisition, as improbable as ^it is flighty. 
You were about to describe your Carter 
when he and \ih followers stopped on 
the bar, a course of action of which 
I highly disapprove. That's one thing I 
like about this river, it's all wool and a 
yard wide. A safe place for children and 
no temptations to speak of — unless a 
canoe is one for Ben." 

"A yard wide?" interrupted Tom. 
"The St. Lawrence a yard wide! Why, 
it's three-quarters of a mile wide up here at 
Cape Vincent, where it leaves the lake, and 
on the other side of Quebec it's ten and 
twenty and even thirty miles wide, and a,t 
Cape Gasp^ it's all of a hundred miles wide." 
Agam the boys broke into a hearty laugh, 
in which Tom was compelled to join, al- 
though he did not understand just what it 
was he was laughing at; but the good 




NVE. 



AN ALARM IN THE CAMP. 



206 



sponse to 
inquired 



ice where 
it, Bob? 
ascinating 
is flighty. 
»ur Carter 
opped on 
of which 
le thing I 
ool and a 
ildren and 
- unless 



a 



ted Tom. 
ie! Why, 
up here at 
e lake, and 
I's ten and 
ide, and at 
niles wide." 
iarty laugh, 
bo join, al- 
just what it 
i the good 



nature of them all was so apparent that ho 
nature w cause of 

did not suspect tnat ne w.w 

*!:c:ir;:yedon,yth.edapatMo„. 

*'f D.:'r;:te'^" Hoehe>»gar- into. 
niDted the irrepressible Bert. 

"Keep stm'liert," pleaded Jock, laugh- 

infflv " I want t" ''"" "''™' ,'■ J , A 
'"^:Lo«ld I were as thi» one is! "drawled 

R„t pointing to Ben as he spolce, who was 
nlw so«ndly'h.,.pi,.,, and apparently do.ng 
Z utmost to emphasi:* the adverb a. 
much as he did the verb. , 

"Cartier left after three days beg^ 
Bob once more, "and went tack to the 
mouth of the Sainte Croix, and there he 
p^td the winter. And a terrible w.nUr 
!t »»., too The men weren't used to sucn 
iTuT ~d, and they suffered from the 
'^„y so much that when the sprmg came 
twenty-five of them were dead, and only a 
tr L of the hundred and ten who were 
S were free from disease. H« men h^ 
been so reduced in numbers that Cartier 
tcM to take only two of M--^'' ^^"^ 
to France with him and so left the PehU 
Hermione there." 



, ! 



206 CAMPING ON TUK HT. LAWRENCE. 



" That's a likely story," said Bert. " Left 
the ship behind hiiu?" 

" Yes, that's what he did." 

" It may be so, my friend, but I don't be- 
lieve it." 

" It is true," said Tom. " They found the 
old boat in the mud there in 1848, — the 
very ship that Cartier left more than three 
hundred years before." 

"Oh, of course, if yon say so I'll believe 
it," replied Bert. 

"He first took possession of the land," 
said Bob, '• by setting up a cross bearing 
the arms of France and a Latin inscription, 
Franeisciis primus, Dei gratia Francorum 
rex, regnaf." 

" I've read about that inscription, but I 
don't know how to read Latin," said Tom, 
eagerly. " What does it mean ? " 

'* Ask Bert," suggested Bob. 

" Jock'll tell you," said Bert, quickly. 

" Bob knows it, and he'll tell you," pro- 
tested Jock, hastily. 

*• Cartier stole Donnacona and nine other 
Indian chiefs and sailed away for France, 
where he arrived about the middle of July, 
1536. And that's the end of chapter two," 
Bob added, as he rose from his seat. 



^JV ALAHM ly TUB CAMP. 



207 



Tom now departed for home, and as the 
boys began to prepare for the night, Bob 
stopped for a moment before the prostrate 
figure of Ben, who was still sleeping woundly 
on the ground before the cauip-iire. 

" I was never treated tluisly in all my ex- 
perience as a lecturer," said Boh. *' I'll fix 
that fellow. I'll show him he mustn't spoil 
my speeches with his hilarious snorings." 

Running into the tent Bob speedily re- 
turned with several short pieces of rope, in 
each of which he made a slip noose. Then 
he carefully adjusted one to the sleeping 
lad's right hand, and without disturbing him, 
made the rope fast to the nearest tr*^. In 
a similar manner he treated the other hand 
and then the two feet, and last )f all the 
head of the still unconscious Ben. 

" Now, I'd like to wake him up," said Bob, 
regarding his work with much satisfaction. 
"He won't go to sleep again when I'm lec- 
turing, I fancy. If he moves his right hand 
he'll make himself all the more secu-e, and 
if he tries to stir his other hand or his feet 
he'll be still worse off. Next time he'll see 
the point, I'm thinking." 

The boys were soon ready for bed and still 
Ben slept on. The campfire flickered and 



gi f tysg !! ! 



L. II JM 0I 



208 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

burned low, the long shadows ceased, and 
even the waiting boys at last closed their 
eyes and slept. 

How long they had been sleeping they did 
not know, but they were suddenly awakened 
by a yell that startled them all. Quickly 
sitting up, the boys at first could not deter- 
mine what it was that had so alarmed them. 

In a moment, however, the yell was re- 
peated, louder and longer than before. 

" It's Bon," said Bob, quickly. " I'll go 
out and ascertain whether he can see the 

point." . 

As he turned to rush into the open an-, he 
was startled by the sounds which came from 
the roof of the tent in which they had been 
sleeping. Something was moving about on 
it, and to the alarm of the boys it sounded 
very much like the snarl of a wild beast. 
Evidently it was somethuig large, too, and 
in a moment all three darted forth from the 
tent into the darkness, just as there came 
another yell from the prostrate Ben, even 
more piercing than those which had pre- 
ceded it. 



CE. 



sed, and 
jed their 

they did 
wakened 

Quickly 
lot deter- 
led them, 
il was re- 
lore. 

"I'll go 
a see the 

)en air, he 
ame from 
had been 
; about on 
t sounded 
rild beast. 
i, too, and 
1 from the 
here came 
Ben, even 
1 had pre- 



ii-' 



CHAPTER XVII. 

ON GUARD. 

Bob's first impulse was to run to his pros- 
trate friend, and with a knife he quickly 
severed the cords by which Ben was bound 
Angry as Ben was, he did not speak, but 
instanllv leaped to his feet and stood with 
his companions peering eagerly at the body 
which could be seen upon the roof of the 

The fire had burned low, but still threw 
out its long shafts of light, and m the 
shadows the animal seemed to assume fan- 
tastic shapes. The boys were all alarmed 
and to their distorted vision the visitor was 
apparently of large size, and every moment 
they expectod to see him sprmg from the 
tent. He had not moved Bince they ^lad 
rushed out from the tent, and though he 
uttered no sound he seemed to be crouch- 
ing as for a spring. 

'< It's a bear," whispered Bert. 



^ 



210 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 




\i4 



"No, it isn't a bear; it's a panther," 
replied Jock, in a whisper as tremulous as 
that of his friend had been. 

The suggestion was in no wise reassuring, 
and for a few moments the boys stood and 
watched their strange visitor, ready to dart 
into the woods at the first sign of new dan- 
ger. The animal, however, had not stkred, 
and was still crouching upon the roof. 

" If I only had my revolver, I'd fix hiim," 
said Ben. 

"Where is it, Ben?" whispered Bob, 
eagerly. 

" In the tent there. I say, fellows," he 
continued, " if you will keep his attention 
off to one side I'll crawl in and get the 
pistol. Can't you throw some sticks or 
stones at him, or poke him with a long 
pole ? While you're doing that, I'll creep 
round to the other side and get into the tent. 
He won't see me if you keep him busy." 

The suggestion of a pole met with no 
favor, but sticks and stones were more 
practical, and selecting a short club as a 
weapon of defence in case of an attack, 
the three boys drew off together a little 
farther into the woods and then began to 
throw the missiles at the crouching animal. 



ON GUARD. 



211 



UNCE. 

panther," 
nulous as 

eassuring, 
stood and 
\y to dart 

new dan- 
ot stirred, 
roof. 

fix hiim," 

jred Bob, 

Hows," he 
attention 
i get the 
sticks or 
th a long 
I'll creep 
the tent, 
busy." 
\ with no 
ere more 
club as a 
m attack, 
3r a little 
began to 
ig animal. 



As their aim was poor they added shouts 
to their other "weapons," and soon the 
camp was ringing with their calls, though 
the animal did not move and seemed to be 
alike fearless of their missiles and wild cries. 
Ben, meanwhile, had crept stealthily 
around to the farther side of the tent, and 
when the uproar of his companions rose to 
its highest point, darted quickly into the 
tent, secured his revolver and then ran out 
again with a celerity which his friends 
might well have envied. 

Possessed of his weapon he called to the 
boys, and as soon as they had joined him 
he stepped nearer the spot and cocked 
his pistol. He could still see their visitor 
in the same attitude and place where he 
had been when first discovered. The camp- 
fire flickered and the trees moaned under 
the night wind. The wash of the waves 
upon the pebbly beach was the only other 
sound to be heard, unless the rapid beat- 
ings of the hearts of the b( ys were audible 
to others besides their owners. 

"Don't move, fellows," whispered Ben, 
as he slowly raised his revolver and took 

aim. * J J 

His warning apparently was not needed, 



»rt 



k^ 



212 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

for not one of the boys moved from his 
place. Each was intently watching that 
crouching form upon the roof, and wait- 
ing for the report of the revolver, which 
should either put an end to their suspense 
by killing the animal, or bring upon them- 
selves the rush of an angry and perhaps 
wounded beast. 

The suspense was not ended when the 
first report of Ben's pistol broke sharply 
in upon the stillness of the night. From 
all appearances they thought the animal 
had not been hit, but as he showed no 
disposition either to advance or retreat, 
Ben quickly raised his revolver again and 
two shots rang out in quick succession. 

"Look out, Ben, you'll hit the tent," 
whispered Bob, made somewhat bolder by 
the continued failure of the animal to 
move. 

Ben then fired the remaining cartridges, 
and to the delight of his companions, they 
saw their enemy roll from his place on the 
tent and fall with a thud upon the ground. 
There was the sound of a struggle for a 
moment, and then all became still again. 

The boys waited anxiously, and at last 
Ben said, " I hit him ! I hit him ! He's 



i 



f 



;j^fii;tf^^^ =,'^f*^.^« JtWillrfiUFH*^ fP-T^ffK li^- 



'I ! 



from his 
hing that 
and wait- 
:er, which 
r suspense 
pon them- 
id perhaps 

when the 
ke sharply 
ht. From 
he animal 
ihowed no 
dT retreat, 
again and 
3ssion. 
the tent," 
bolder by 
animal to 

cartridges, 
nions, they 
ace on the 
he ground, 
ggle for a 
still again, 
bud at last 
lim ! He's 




:\ \ 



\u' 




'Bob took a loil| stick and poked the motionless form." 
Page 213. 



U^] 



n ' li nyj, ' " 




' ^ 1 III ,i-j,u«ii ii j « tJJ..-i- - I ' 



u 



ON GUARD. 



218 






dead, fellows. Go on and see what he 

was." . .,,. . 

As no one seemed to be quite willing to 

respond to the appeal, Ben himself thrust 
a long torch or broken limb of a tree into 
the fire, and then, holding in his hand the 
blazing branch, at the head of the column 
advanced to view the fallen foe. 

They approached carefully and cau- 
tiously, Ben explaining that ''panthers 
sometimes lived a long time after they 
were dead," and soon they coud see the 
motionless body before them. Holdmg the 
torch in one hand and his reloaded revol- 
ver in the other, Ben stood ready to shoot 
at the first returning sign of danger, while 
Bob took a long stick and cautiously poked 
the motionless form. 

His actions produced no response, and 
then, concluding that their enemy was in- 
deed dead, they came nearer and soon 
8tood looking down upon their victim. A 
closer inspection revealed the fact that it 
was a much smaller animal than they had 
thought it to be, but none of them had ever 
seen one like it before. 

As Jock lea,ned down to touch it with 
his hand, he suddenly drew back with a 




!^. 



\ ! 



r ^ 



%\ 



i^-.. 



214 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

cry of pain, and instantly his companions 
darted from the spot. As they were not 
pursued, their courage revived, and once 
more they returned to inspect the body of 
the strange animal. He was dead now, 
that was evident ; and satisfied as to that 
fact, Bob declared that he was going back 
to bed. 

"We ought to keep a guard to-night, 
though," suggested Bert. " Perhaps these 
animals hunt in pairs. I've heard of pan- 
thers that do." 

"That's all right; ;ve'll have a guard," 
replied Bob. " Ben's the one to do it." 

"Me? Well, I guess not ! Say, who fixed 
me that way?" he suddenly inquired, his 
anger evidently returning at the thought 
of the wrongs he had suffered. 

"Well, I did," drawled Bob, "if you 
really want to know." 

"What did you do it for?" 

"To make you see the point. When 
I'm lecturing on the early discoverers of 
the St. Lawrence, I don't want you to go 
to sleep. I'm not doing it for the fun of 
the thing. It's duty, pure duty ; I want to 
teach my benighted countrymen something 
about the heroes of this region." 






iENCE. 

3ompanions 
y were not 
, and once 
he body of 
dead now, 
as to that 
going back 

d to-night, 
•haps these 
ard of pan- 

! a guard," 
do it." 
', who fixed 
iquired, his 
lie thought 

), " if you 



it. When 
coverers of 
you to go 
the fun of 
; I want to 
something 



ON OUAUD. 



216 



"Nobody asked you to," replied Ben, 
half laughing, though he was still angry 
over his wrongs. "If I'd invited you to 
speak or paid for the privilege that would 
have been another raa,tter. Where did you 
get the stuff. Bob ? Out of an almanac or 
the cyclopaedia ? " 

"Out of my head. By the way, Ben, 
what made you yell so when you woke us 

up?" 

" Yell ? Well, perhaps you'd keep quiet 
when you opened your eyes in the night 
and saw a wild beast crawling over the 
roof of the tent and ready to spring upon 
you and devour you. Then when I tried 
to move I found some one had tied me 
hand and foot." 

" Your voice was free. Your lungs 
seemed to work all right," suggested Bob. 

"They might not, though, if it hadn't 
been just as it was. When I tried to raise 
my head the string choked me, and I 
couldn't use my hands to help me, either. 
That was a dangerous thing to do, Bob. I 
don't believe in practical jokes. Why, do 
you know, I thought at first I was having 
the nightmare ; but when I saw that great 
beast there, I knew I was only too much 



\ i 



216 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

awake. No, Bob, you'll have to be the one 
to stand guard to-night." 

"Makes no difference to me," drawled 
Bob. " I'm entirely willing." 

It was evident that the other boys were 
as willing as he, and after Ben had given 
him his revolver, and all three had bestowed 
upon him many cautions and much advice, 
he was left to himself. 

Bob waited until the sounds that came 
from the tent indicated that all within 
were asleep, and then he coolly entered, 
and selecting his own blanket and pillow, 
returned with them to the fire. 

Before spreading them upon the ground, 
he stopped for a moment and seemed to be 
thinking intently upon some matter. The 
result of his deliberations became apparent, 
when he placed both blanket and pillow 
carefully behind one of the trees in a spot 
where they would not be seen by any one in 
the camp. Then he returned, and, cocking 
the revolver, advanced to the front of the 
tent. 

Lifting his arm, as if he was aiming at 
the distant sky, he suddenly opened his 
mouth and emitted some screeches that 
might have made an Indian chief envious. 



mcE. 

)e the one 

' drawled 

boys were 
had given 
I bestowed 
ch advice, 

that came 
Eill within 
y entered, 
,nd pillow, 

he ground, 
smed to be 
tter. The 
3 apparent, 
and pillow 
s in a spot 
any one in 
id, cocking 
I'ont of the 

aiming at 
opened his 
leches that 
ef envious, 



ON aUARD. 



217 



and at the same time began to dance about 
and discharge the revolver. 

"Hi! Yi! Yi! Hi! Yi! Yi!" he shouted. 

The din caused by his unearthly cries, 
punctuated by the rapid discharge of the 
revolver, brought the startled inmates in- 
stantly to the door. 

" Hi ! Yi ! Yi ! Hi ! Yi ! Yi ! " repeated 
Bob, dancing about with increased vigor, 
and at the same time discharging the last 
remaining chamber of the revolver as he 
beheld his frightened comrades. 

« What is it ? What is it, Bob ? " ex- 
claimed Ben, breathlessly. 

"Did you see anything?" added Jock, 
equally excited. 

"See anything? No, I didn't see any- 
thing," replied Bob, slowly. 

" What ! You didn't see anything ?" de- 
manded Bert. -'What did you make all 
that racket for, then?" 

« Did I make any racket ? " inquired Bob, 
in his most innocent manner. 

"Didn't you really see anything?" said 

Jock. 

« No-o-o. I didn't see anything. But I'll 
tell you, fellows, I was afraid I might. I 
thought it might be just as well to scare 



f 



( 



f ii 



218 CAMPINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

away any prowling beast that might be 
near. Did I disturb any of you ? " he inno- 
cently added. 

" Oh, no, you didn't disturb us," said Ben, 
sarcastically. " We just came out to see if 
you were all safe yet." 

" It's fearfully lonesome out here, fel- 
lows," drawled Bob. " Don't one of you 
want to sit up with me awhile?" 

"Not much we don't," replied Ben, as 
he darted into the tent again, followed by 
the other two boys. " We'll leave you alone 
in your glory." ^ ^^ 

" Well, wait then till I load up agam, 
said Bob, as he, too, entered the tent. 
« Where's the cartridge box, Ben ? " 

« Over there on the table," replied Ben, 
lazily. " Help yourself," he added, as he 
turned over upon his side. 

Bob evidently did "help himself," for 
he not only filled the empty chambers 
with cartridges, but he slipped the box 
also into his pocket. When he returned 
to the fire, he spread the blanket upon the 
ground once more and carefully adjusted 
the pillow. 

" If I've got to stay on guard I might as 
well do it in style," he murmured, as he 




L 



:nce. 

might be 
" he inno- 

• said Ben, 
it to see if 

here, fel- 
»ne of you 
?" 

id Ben, as 
ollowed by 
e you alone 

up again," 
the tent. 

eplied Ben, 
Ided, as he 

raself," for 
y chambers 
3d the box 
le returned 
:et upon the 
lly adjusted 

i I might as 
lured, as he 



ON OVAIiD. 



819 



stretched himself upon the blanket, and 
was soon sleeping as soundly as his friends 
in the tent. 

He did not sleep so long, however, for 
about once in every half hour he rose, and 
taking his stand in front of the tent he re- 
peated his war dance, punctuating it with 
the sharp reports of his revolver and his ear- 
splitting shrieks. 

In vain the boys begged of him to per- 
mit one of them to relieve him of the task, 
but Bob remained obdurate. " No, sir," he 
declared. " I'm doing my duty ! I'm not 
going to let one of those St. Lawrence pan- 
thers into this camp to-night if I know my- 
self. I'm going to protect you, no matter 
at what cost to me." 

And so there was not much sleep in the 
camp that night, though it was likely that 
Bob enjoyed as much as any one, for be- 
tween his efforts to frighten away the 
" prowling panthers," he slept on his blan- 
ket before the fire. 

Perhaps the excitement of the night 
caused the boys to sleep somewhat later 
than usual on the following morning, for 
Bob, who was the first to awake, was roused 
by the voice of Ethan. 



i 
i 

I 











i ■\ 

( i 




1 ^ 




1 i 

> 


1 


1 


L 


f 




1 


, 


■■-," 
i ■ 
I 


1 



i . 



220 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"What ye sleepin' out here for?" de- 
manded the boatman in surprise. 

"That you, Ethan?" drawled Bob, as 
he opened his eyes. "Oh, that reminds 
me," he added, as he hastily leaped to his 
feet, and grasping the revolver, rushed up to 
the front of the tent, where he repeated his 
frequent performance of the night. 

" What ye doin' that for ? " demanded 
Ethan, in astonishment. 

" Keeping the wild beasts away. Ethan," 
he added solemnly, " we've been attacked. 
A fearful beast leaped on our tent in the 
night, and tried desperately to tear it into 
pieces and get at us to devour us." 

"Hey?" demanded Ethan, sharply. 

" Yes. That's just what he did," repeated 
Bob, as the boys came out of the tent and 
joined him. " But we managed to shoot him." 

" Ye did, did ye ? Well, where is he no\v ? 
Show me yer beast." 

Bob silently led the way to the spot where 
they had left their victim. Ethan looked 
sharply for a moment at the body, and then 
with a snort of contempt, said, "Pish I 
Nuthin' but a hedgehog!" and Tom, for 
the first time our boys had heard him since 
their arrival at the camp, laughed aloud. 



I .*4l 



-a^ 



— ^«e«ir-<*H Jglli!S^j^j,aJ 



r.NCE. 



for?" de- 



i Bob, as 
,t reminds 
ped to his 
ished up to 
speated liis 
It. 
demanded 

. Ethan," 
I attacked, 
ent in the 

:ear it into 

I. 

i. 

Lrply. 

,," repeated 

le tent and 

shoot him." 

I is he no\y ? 

spot where 
han looked 
y, and then 
id, "Pish I 
I Tom, for 
d him since 
ed aloud. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

AN UNEXPECTED RACE. 

The other boys by this time had joined 
the group, and so crestfallen were they all 
when they discovered how insignificant was 
their nocturnal visitor, that Ethan quickly 

said', — . 

" A hedgehog will make a big scratching 
sometimes. I've known 'em when I've been 
logging to git up on the shanty in the night, 
and from the noise they made, I'd been will- 
ing to declare a bear was after us. It was 
perfectly natural, boys, for ye to be skeered." 

Breakfast provided a speedy diversion, 
and after securing some of the quills of 
their victim they cast the body into the 
river, and turned to their repast. It was 
decided, in view of the visit they were to 
make that day at " The Rocks," that they 
would not venture far from camp ; but about 
an hour later Jock called the attention of 
his companions to a spectacle on the river. 

22! 



222 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

About a half-mile in front of the camp 
they beheld a tug moving down the stream, 
dragging behind it several huge loads, which, 
although they were not boats, still somehow 
resembled them. They rested low upon the 
water, and men could be seen moving about 
over them. 

" What's that, Ethan ? " demanded Bert, 
as he beheld the strange procession. 

"That?" replied the boatman, pausing 
in his task and looking in the direction in- 
dicated by the lad. " Them's logs." 

" Logs ? I don't understand. What do 
you mean ? " 

" I mean what I say. They're rafts made 
out o' logs. They come from up Ottawa 
way. Ye see, the lumbermen cut the logs 
in the winter and float 'em down the stream, 
and a good many on 'em is sawed up over 
there, but not all. They make rafts out of 
a part, and haul 'em down the river to Mon- 
treal, or some other town." 

" But what are those houses or huts I can 
see on the rafts ? " persisted Bert. " And 
there are people there too. Yes, I can see 
women and children," he added, as he low- 
ered the glasses he had been using. 

« That's what they are," replied Ethan. 



:'!i 



in 




mcE. 

the camp 
he stream, 
ids, which, 
I somehow 
V upon the 
ving about 

nded Bert, 

311. 

n, pausing 
irection in- 

What do 

rafts made 
up Ottawa 
lit the logb 
the stream, 
ed up over 
rafts out of 
ver to Mon- 

p huts I can 
ert. " And 
!S, I can see 
I, as he low- 

ng- 

)lied Ethan. 



T 



'■ 



AN UNEXPECTED RACE. 



228 



"They're cabins. They have to have a 
place for their women folks and children, 

don't they ? " 

" Do you mean to tell me they live on 

board those rafts?" 

" Course they do. Why not ? " 

"Bert!" exclaimed Ben, quickly, "I'm 
going to take a canoe and go out to visit 
them. Want to go along?" 

"Yes!" exclaimed Bert, eagerly, as he 
ran with Ben to the beach, where the canoes 
were kept. 

The other boys followed them, and warned 
Bert against intrusting himself to a canoe 
in which Ben was to be pilot and helmsman ; 
but both were too eager now to heed the 
advice of their friends, and in a few min- 
utes they had launched the canoe, adjusted 
the mast and, spreading the bat-wing sail, 
went skimming over the water in the direc- 
tion of the approaching rafts. 

Whatever Bert's fears may have been, 
and doubtless they were many, Ben man- 
aged to keep the canoe upright, and in a 
little while drew near the slow-moving crafts. 
The sail was then lowered, though the canoe 
was almost capsized in the attempt, and 
usmg their paddles, the boys soon drew 




1 . ■ 


r i> 


- ii 




224 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

alongside one of the rafts and successfully 
clambered on board, dragging their boat 

after them. 

It was a strange spectacle which greeted 
their eyes. Two families evidently were 
living on board, and the children stood and 
shyly watched the arrival of their unex- 
pected visitors. Two little huts had been 
erected near the stern of the raft, and the 
women were then hanging their weekly 
washing on the lines which had been 
stretched from side to side. 

One of the men now approached the boys 
and respectfully saluted them, and Ben ex- 
plained their purpose in coming. In response 
to their request they were conducted to one 
of the huts, and hospitably invited to share 
in the meal which was soon to be prepared. 
Ben declined the invitation, but curiously 
observed the places in which the people 
were dwelling for a time. Rude berths or 
bunks had been built along the sides of the 
cabin, and a few rough chairs and the vari- 
ous utensils which were necessary for cook- 
ing were also seen. On the open raft a 
fireplace had been made, over which an 
iron pot could be placed. 

Altogether the scene was as novel as it 



'NCE. 

ccessfully 
heir boat 

ih greeted 
ntly were 
stood and 
leir unex- 
liad been 
't, and the 
lir weekly 
had been 

d the boys 
id Ben ex- 
[n response 
cted to one 
}d to share 
} prepared. 
it curiously 
the people 
e berths or 
ddes of the 
id the vari- 
■y for cook- 
pen raft a 
which an 

novel as it 



- 



AN UNEXPECTED RACE. 



226 




was interesting, and after remaining to talk 
with the men and to bestow some small 
coins upon the bashful children, as the 
camp on Pine Tree Island had long since 
disappeared from sight, they soon departed, 
thanking the people for their kindness in 
explaining all the details to them. 

The boys succeeded in embarki 'g safely 
and then set sail for the v Jand, where they 
arrived about three-quarters of an hour 
afterward. Ethan and Tom had already 
departed for the day, and the campers 
were now waiting for the arrival of 
Mr. Clarke's steam-yacht, which was to 
convey them to his cottage. 

"I'm going down there in a canoe," ex- 
claimed Ben. 'Any of you fellows want 
to come along with me ? " 

" Nay, verily," said Jock. " You have 
a fancy for appearing before the girls in 
your wet clothes. For my part, I don't 
enjoy that." 

"I'll not tip you over," replied Ben. 
"I'm learning about all there is to learn 
in handling canoes. It's as easy as — 
as Latin, when you once get the notion 

of it." 

None of the boys could be persuaded, 




22r. CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWUENCK. 

however, and soon Ben departed alone. 
He placed two paddles in the smaller of 
the canoes, and then spreading his sail, 
departed from the camp amidst the cheers 
of his friends, not one of whom expected 
to see him in a presentable condition when 
they should arrive at "The Rocks." 

Ben, however, was unmindful of their 
scepticism and sailed away as if no shadow 
of possible ill clouded his vision. In spite 
of his many mishaps he was determined 
to master the canoe, and no matter how 
many upsettings he had, they all only 
strengthened him in his purpose. 

It was a perfect day for his venture. A 
gentle breeze slightly ruffled the surface of 
the river and bore the light little canoe 
steadily on in its course. The water was 
so transparent that in places, as Ben occar 
sionally glanced over the side of his boat 
into the river, he could see the rocks upon 
the bottom, and several times beheld the 
hungry bass as they darted swiftly away 
at his approach. The sound of a belated 
mowing-machine came faintly froin the 
shore where he could see men toiling in 
the fields. The reflections of the islands 
were so clear and distinct that he could 




W i ll i 1. ui« n 



SCK. 

id alone, 
[nailer of 

his sail, 
he cheers 

expected 
:ion when 

of their 
10 shadow 

In spite 
etermined 
Eitter how 

all only 

sntnre. A 

surface of 

ittle canoe 

water was 

Ben occa- 
)f his boat 
rocks upon 
beheld the 
'iftly away 
[ a belated 

from the 
I toiling in 
the islands 
it he could 




., 



AN UNEXPECTED RACE. 



227 



hardly have determined which part was 
above and which below the surface as 
he glided past them. The bold rocks, the 
deep green of the bordering trees, and the 
many-colored cottages provided variety in 
the scene about him, and as Ben moved 
onward before the gentle breeze, at times 
it almost seemed to him that he was in 
fairy-land. 

His first interruption came when a 
steamer approached, and not yet ready to 
test his prowess too severely, he turned out 
of the course far enough as he thought to 
place him beyond all danger ; but he soon 
discovered that the wash of the steamer 
reached far that morning, and in a moment 
his frail craft was being tossed about as if 
it had been a leaf in the current of the 
mighty stream. 

However, he managed to hold his boat, 
and soon the troubled waters subsided, 
though he could see that the motion of the 
waves had extended even to the shores of a 
far-distant island. 

At last he came within sight of "The 
Rocks," and beheld the girls on the dock 
watching one of their number whom he 
could see in a canoe not far away. The 





Ml 



228 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

yacht could not anywhere be seen, and co\i- 
cluding that it had gone to the camp for 
his friends, he gave all his attention to the 
immediate task of landing in the presence 
of the girls without capsizing. 

As he approached he discovered that the 
beach on one side of the dock was low, and 
not quite daring to run in alongside the 
regular landing-place, he sent the canoe 
straight ashore and succeeded in his attempt 
with no worse mishap than wetting his 

feet. 

He was eagerly greeted by the girls, and 
as he took his stand on the dock beside 
them, one of them said: — 

"Have you given up appftaring here as 
you did the first night you came ? " 

« I hope so," answered Ben. " I'm going 
to keep at it till I have got the better of 
the thing. I practise every day." 

"Are you practising for the races, Mr. 
Dallett ? " inquired one of them. 

« What races ? " 

"Why the regular canoe races next 
month. Don't you know about them ? " 

" Tell me about them." 

"They meet down here not very far 
away, and have a regatta every summer. 



mmf 



:nce. 

, and co\i- 

camp for 

ion to the 

5 presence 

I that the 
s low, and 
agaide the 
the canoe 
lis attempt 
etting his 

i girls, and 
ock beside 

Qg here as 

?" 

' I'm going 

e better of 

races, Mr. 



races next 
them?" 

it very far 
ry summer. 



AN UNEXPECTED RACE. 



229 



They have races with double bat-wings and 
single bat-wings, and one paddle and two 
paddles, and I don't know what all, only 
it's perfectly lovely. And the girls wear 
the colors ; and yes, there is a race for the 
ladies, too. We're urging Bessie here to 
go into that. Have you ever seen her in a 

" No, I never have." 

"Well, you ought to. And are you 
really going to enter the canoe race, 
Mr. Dallett? And will you paddle or 

sail?" • 

" Yes," said Ben, forming a sudden.reso- 
lution, "I'm going into the race." 

" And will you paddle or sail ? " 

"Paddle." 

"How perfectly lovely. I say, girls, 
wouldn't it be fine sport for Bessie and 
Mr. Dallett to have a race now? Mr. 
Clarke won't be back for a little while 
yet with the yacht and the boys, and I 
think it would be fine to have a race right 

here." 

" Not very fine for me, I fear," replied 
Ben. " Miss Bessie would beat me." 

"I'd do my best, you may be sure of 
that," exclaimed the young lady referred 



w^^ 



I 



li, 



280 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

to. " Do you want to race with me, Mr. 

Dallett ? " 

"I'm afraid — " 

"Oh, never mind, if you are afraid" 
said Bessie, quickly, her eyes sparkling as 
she spoke. " Possibly you might tip over." 

"I'll try it," said Ben, doggedly. He 
knew he would never hear the last of it 
from his companions if he should refuse, 
and even the girls would not be averse to 
referring to the matter. 

" Get your canoe, then," said Bessie, 

quickly. . . 

"What's the course to be?" mquired 

Ben. 

He wished now that he had not con- 
sented so readily. If by any chance he 
should win the race, he could see that his 
rival would not take her defeat quietly; and, 
on the other hand, if he should be beaten by 
a girl, his life in camp would not be lacking 
in spice. And Miss Bessie was so confident 
and eager. Yes, he wished that he had not 
consented, but there was no withdrawal now. 
" The course will be around the island," 
explained Bessie. "It's about half a mile 
and clear water. If you lose the race and 
are beaten by a girl," she exclaimed, " I'll 
despise you." 



ttmmmmmMmm 



■•¥■ 




NCE. 

i me, Mr. 

J afraid" 
irkling as 
tip over." 
edly. He 

last of it 
lid refuse, 

averse to 

id Bessie, 

' inquired 

1 not con- 
chance he 
>e that his 
lietly; and, 
3 beaten by 
be lacking 
10 confident 
he had not 
Irawal now. 
;he island," 
balf a mile 
le race and 
limed, " I'll 



AN USEXPECTEl) RAVE. 



231 



"And if I win," laughed Ben, "you'll 
never forgive me." 

" If you win f Win if you can ! " and 
she quickly took her place in her canoe and 
began to wield her paddle in a manner that 
increased Ben's misgivings still more. 

He, too, was soon ready, and as the canoes 
came alongside in front of the dock, one of 
the girls counted "One! Two! Three!" the 
signal agreed upon for starting, and in an 
instant the race was begun. 

Whatever Ben thought about racing with 
a girl, he speedily discovered thaf it was no 
holiday task before him even to keep up 
with her canoe, to say nothing of passing it. 
Quick to take advantage of the start, she 
was fully three yards in advance of him 
when his paddle struck the water. His 
long arms gave him a decided advantage, 
but what his contestant lacked in reach she 
seemed to supply in quickness, and her dex- 
terity was simply marvellous. 

In his eagerness not to be outdone, Ben 
drove his paddle so far down into the water, 
that his canoe was almost upset, and when 
he tried to right it Bessie had increased her 
lead and called mockingly to him that * she 
could tow him around the island.' But he 




232 (AM PINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

soon had gained his balance, and his long 
sweeping strokes began to tell. Nearer 
and nearer he came to the canoe in front 
of him, and, do what she could, she could 
not increase the distance between them, and 
when they turned the point and were hidden 
from the sight of the girls on the dock, she 
was only a length in advance. 

Almost together they then swept on, and 
when at last they turned the other point 
and came in on the home stretch, they 
were side by side. 

Suddenly their ears were saluted by calls 
and shouts and the shrill whistle of the yacht 
which was now approaching with the boys 
on board. Ben did not mean to win now, 
but he did want to come in even, and was 
doing his utmost to hold his own. 

He was paddling in a course parallel to 
that which Miss Bessie had taken and about 
three rods distant, when suddenly he found 
himself in the wash of the little steamer, and 
before he was aware of what had befallen 
him, was struggling in the water. 

Ben's disappearance was greeted with 
shrieks of laughter, but when several min- 
utes had passed and he did not com6 to the 
surface, the laughter suddenly ceased and 



rcE. 

his long 
Nearer 
in front 
ihe could 
hem, and 
:e hidden 
dock, she 



AN UNEXPECTED RACE. 



288 



the onlookers were gazing into one another n 
faces with consternation and fear. In a 
moment Jock and Bert leaped into a skitt 
and with swift strokes rowed out to the 
place where Ben had capsized. 



it on, and 
her point 
tch, they 

d by calls 
the yacht 
the boys 
win now, 
,, and was 

parallel to 
and about 
1^ he found 
3amer, and 
id befallen 



seted with 
iveral min- 
Dm6 to the 
ceased and 



CHAPTER XIX. 



A MOONLIGHT SAIL. 




The alarm of the boys was in nowise de- 
creased when they were unable to discover 
a trace of the missing Ben. The clear water 
enabled them to look far down into the depths, 
but only the rocks upon the bottom of the 
river could be seen. Their alarm had be- 
come consternation now, and they glanced 
into each other's faces with an expression of 
fear, which was increased by the shouts of 
the girls on the dock and the calls of those 
who were still on the yacht. 

As the boys changed the course of the 
skiff, Bert suddenly exclaimed, "Look at 
that, will you ? See that canoe ! " 

The eanoe in which Ben had capsized had 
been left to itself and was steadily drifting 
toward the shore of the island. Suddenly 
it was lifted from the water, and the long 
form of Ben appeared as he carried the 
little craft upon his shoulders, his head 
still remaining concealed beneath the boat. 



234 



L 



A MOONLIGHT SAIL. 



286 



owise de- 
discover 
ear water 
tie depths, 
m of the 
1 had be- 
y glanced 
ression of 
shouts of 
I of those 

•se of the 
'Look at 

jsized had 
y drifting 

Suddenly 
I the long 
irried the 

his head 
L the boat. 



Not heeding the shout which greeted 
his welcome appearance, Ben waded ashore, 
and after depositing his burden upon the 
bank, turned and quietly faced his com- 
panions. 

His solemn manner, his drippuig clothmg, 
and above all the relief which all felt at 
his escape caused the shouts to be renewed; 
but Ben slowly approached the group of 
girls and said, " Miss Bessie, I'm ready to 
try it again. Shall we take the same 

course?" 

"No, sir!" exclaimed that young lady. 
" You've frightened us almost to death, and 
I'll not be responsible for your safety any 

more." , „ ,. J 

" But I was safe, perfectly safe, replied 

Ben, soberly. " I'm at home in the water, 

every time." 

" It's a pity you're not more at home on 
it then," replied Bessie, with a nervous little 
laugh. "How did you escape? Where were 

^°"Who. me? Why, I swam up under 
the canoe, it sheltered my delicate face 
from the sun, you see, and I just pushed it 

ashore. 

The others had landed by this time, and 



286 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

although the boys joined in the laughter, 
Ben could see that Mr. Clarke was annoyed 
by the trick he had played. 

"Go up to the house," said Mr. Clarke, 
quietly, "and I'll get you a change of cloth- 
ing. But you ought never to play such a 
prank as that again. It's altogether too 
serious a matter. This water is Iso cold that 
it is very easy for a man to be taken with a 
cramp in it, and sink before any aid could 
come to him. Don't do it again." 

Ben, somewhat chagrined, made no reply, 
and followed Mr. Clarke to the house. When 
he reappeared he found his friends seated on 
the broad piazza, and they hailed his com- 
ing with shrieks of laughter, for Ben once 
more had been compelled to don the gar- 
ments of their host, and as they were much 
too small for him, the sight he presented 
was ludicrous in the extreme. 

" I think, Mr. Dallett," said one of the 
girls, " that you ought to buy that suit of 
Mr. Clarke. Yon don't know how becom- 
ing it is to you." 

" No, I don't believe I do know," replied 
Ben, ruefully, glancing down at his wrists, 
which protruded several inches below his 
sleeves. "I'm not just sure whether I 



7E. 

ughter, 
nnoyed 

Clarke, 
)f cloth- 
' such a 
her too 
old that 
1 with a 
id could 

10 reply, 
. When 
eated on 
his com- 
3en once 
the gar- 
jre much 
)resented 

le of the 
it suit of 
N becom- 

," replied 
lis wrists, 
below his 
rhether I 




ti 



A MOONLIGHT SAIL. 



237 



wouldn't have felt better to have stayed 
out there in the river." 

« A trifle too short and a shaving too lean, 
But a nice young man as ever was seen," 

murmured Bob. 

Even Ben, and Mr. Clarke, who had now 
joined the group, were compelled to join in 
the laugh which followed, and soon the 
good nature of all was apparently restored, 
Ben himself adding to the fun by the non- 
chalance with which he paraded in his 
"uniform" before the admiring gaze of 
the assembly. 

After dinner had been served, the group 
returned to the piazza and seated themselves 
in the chairs, evidently at peace among them- 
selves and with all the world. The cottage, 
as has been said, was situated on a high 
bluff, and from it a view could be obtained 
of the majestic river for miles in either 
direction. The bracing air, the sparkling 
water, the sight of passing yachts and of 
swiftly moving canoes, all lent an addi- 
tional charm to the occasion, and for two 
hours they remained there, enjoying them- 
selves as only light-hearted young people 
can. 



288 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

At last Mr. Clarke proposed that they 
should take a trip with him in the yacht, 
and as they eagerly hailed the invitation, 
all, including Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, were 
soon seated on board. There they sang 
songs and told stories and commented upon 
the constantly changing scene of beauty into 
which they moved. Darting in and out 
among the islands the fleet little yacht, skil- 
fully handled by the pilot and engineer, 
daintily seemed to pick its way, as if it too 
shared in the delight of the company. Beau- 
tiful cottages, palaces they seemed to the 
boys, were passed, and quaint little spots, 
dotted by tents or rude huts, whither some 
humble family had come for an outing, were 
frequently seen. Fishing parties were dis- 
covered among the bays, and parties of 
campers, living much as did our boys in 
their camp on Pine Tree Island, were passed ; 
and when at last the yacht turned home- 
ward, all were ready to declare that never 
before had they had so enjoyable an after- 
noon. 

To the proposition of the boys that they 
should return to their camp, a strong objec- 
tion was offered by Mrs. Clarke, who de- 
clared that they must remain for supper; 



■nnMS^ 



E. 

it they 
yacht, 
itation, 
3, were 
y sang 
id upon 
ity into 
,nd out 
ht, skil- 
igineer, 
if it too 
Beau- 
to the 
e spots, 
er some 
ttg, were 
reve dis- 
trties of 
boys in 
} passed ; 
id home- 
at never 
an after- 
hat they 
ng objec- 
who de- 
■ supper; 



A MOONLIGHT SAIL. 



280 



and we may be sure no great amount of 
urging was required to make them yield. 

"I'll take you back to camp this even- 
"rag," said Mr. Clarke, when they all resumed 
their seats on the piazza. 

"I thought I'd go back in my canoe," 
suggested Ben, who was clad in his proper 
garments now. " I want the practice, you 

see." 

"No, sir!" said Mr. Clarke, sharply. 
" You are to go back with us. I'll not be 
responsible for your safety in that shell of 

yours." 

Ben made no reply, and soon was sharing 
m the enjoyment of the party. The sun 
was now low in the western sky, and as its 
departing beams fell across the waters it 
made them glow like a veritable lake of 
fire. The wmd had all died away, and the 
s\irface of the river was almost like glass. 
A scene of greater beauty or of more inde- 
scribable peace and calm they never before 

had seen. 

But the laughter which came from the 
piazza of Mr. Clarke's cottage, and the en- 
joyment of the assembly there, were not to 
be checked even by the solemn stillness of 
the river. 



240 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" One would ' never think," said Mr. 
Clarke, when a break of a moment came, 
" that this peaceful river was ever the scene 
of bloodshed." 

" Bob, here, knows all about that," said 
Bert. "He puts us to sleep every night 
with his stories of the early discoverers. 
We almost feel as if we were on their 

trail." „ 

" So you are, for it's all historic ground, 
replied Mr. Clarke ; " but I wasn't thinking 
of the discoveries just then, but rather of 
the struggle along the border here in the 
War of 1812, and of the pirates." 

"Pirates?" exclaimed Miss Bessie, 
quickly. " Why, you never told us there 
were any pirates here. I shall be afraid to 
go out in my canoe again — unless I have 
Mr. Dallett along to protect me," she 

added. 

Ignoring the laugh which followed, her 
father said, " Well, there were pirates here, 
for you can't call them by any other name. 
There are none here now, of course, but in 
what was poetically called 'The Patriot 
War,' it wasn't the same peaceful St. Law- 
rence that we see." 

As all appeared to be interested in his 



u 



said Mr. 

ent came, 

the scene 

ihat," said 

rery night 

iscoverers. 

on their 

c ground," 
't thinking 
, rather of 
lere in the 

ss Bessie, 
d us there 
)e afraid to 
less I have 
me," she 

illowed, her 
)irates here, 
)ther name, 
lurse, but in 
Che Patriot 
ul St. Law- 

jsted in his 



A MOONLIGHT SAIL. 



241 



words, Mr. Clarke continued. "This pa- 
triot war, so called, occurred along about 
1837-40. It really was an attempt to 
revolutionize Canada by a lot of despera- 
does, or pirates, as I call them, who were 
filled with hatred as bitter as it was unrea- 
sonable against our sister country, and the 
worst leader of them all was a William 
Johnston, or Bill Johnston, as he was more 
familiarly known by his neighbors along 
the St. Lawrence River. He lived near 

here, you see. 

" In December, 1837, a band of disguised 
men from Canada set fire to the steamer 
Caroline out near Niagara Falls, and 
aroused great excitement all along the bor- 
der. The next month Congress appropri- 
ated $625,000 for the protection of the 
northern frontier, and called for volunteers. 
On the very same day a circular was issued 
over here at Watertown, signed by six 
prominent men, asking for money and help 
for the so-called refugees from Canada. 
The signers professed to be law-abiding 
citizens and all that, and pi,rhaps they 
were, though there were serious doubts 
about the matter then and since. - 

« In most of the villages secret organiza- 



f 



242 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WREyCK. 

tions had been formed, known as Hunter 
Lodges, and they were making plans for 
raising money and men to invade Canada. 
Indeed, tliey had their preparations all 
made for crossing on the ice as soon as the 
river here was frozen over, and falling upon 
Kingston. 

" One night in February the arsenal at 
Watertown was broken into and four hun- 
dred stands of arms were stolen by men 
who were thought to be engaged in the 
proposed movement. Some of the things 
were afterward recovered, and a reward 
was offered for the capture of the men. 

" Matters were made worse by the fact 
that the arsenals at Elizabeth town and Ba- 
tavia were also broken into at about the 
same time. The very next day after the 
affair at Watertown, men began to arrive 
at Clayton, which used to be called French 
Creek, and it is said that there were four 
thousand stands of arms there, five hun- 
dred long pikes, and twenty barrels of car- 
tridges ; but what they lacked was men, for, 
though nominally there were a good many 
there, there were few if any real mm among 
them, as you can readily imagine. 

" There was no discipline, and less order, 



mcK. 

IS Hunter 
plans for 
3 Canada, 
itions all 
)on as the 
ling upon 

irsenal at 
four hun- 
1 by men 
3d in the 
he things 
a reward 
men. 

' the fact 
n and Ba- 
about the 
after the 
to arrive 
id French 
were four 
five hun- 
jls of car- 
} men, for, 
Dod many 
len among 

less order, 



A MOONLIGHT SAIL. 



248 



and when, at last, less than two hundred of 
the rascals crossed over to "Wolf Island, 
they were more like a mob than an army. 
The Kingston people were badly frightened, 
though they had slight cause to be alarmed, 
and they sent over a force of sixteen hun 
dred soldiers to meet the ' invading army' ; 
but when they arrived at the island, the 
*army' had pretty much melted away. 
Still the country was pretty thoroughly 
stirred up, and forces were stationed at 
Cape Vincent, Clayton, and other places to 
maintain order. Congress also took fur- 
ther action, and most of the people thought 
the troubles were ended. 

"But in the last of May, 1838, the 
steamer Sir Robert Peel was plundered and 
burned over here at Wells Island. She 
was a large boat, I understand, and some 
hundred and sixty feet long. She started 
from Brockville, and there were threats 
made before she set sail that she would 
have trouble, but no attention was paid to 
them. The passengers were all asleep 
when she arrived at Wells Island, and the 
crew were taking on wood, when a band of 
men, disguised as Indians, and rejoicing in 
such fictitious names as Tecumseh, Judge 




« 



244 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWliENCE. 

Lynch, Bolivar, Captain Crocket, and I 
don't know what all, rushed out of the 
woods, and, yelling, 'Remember the Caro- 
line; drove away the crew and passengers, 
and taking the 'steamer out into the chan- 
nel, set it on fire. 

" First they had seized the money on board 
and such valuables as they could find, you 

may be sure. • v • 

" Of course there was a great stir then m 
the country. This Bill Johnston I men- 
tioned a little while ago was one of the 
leaders, and both the Canadian governments 
and our own offered big rewards for him 
and the other men. I believe Governor 
Marcy placed the reward for the arrest of 
Johnston at $500 and $250 was offered 
for some of the others, while some were 
thought to be worth only $100 each. The 
Earl of Durham did better still, for he 
promised to give £1000 for the conviction of 
any of the parties engaged in the outrage. 
Some of them were arrested and tried over 
at Watertown, but it whs almost impossible 
to convict them, and the jury brought in a 
verdict of ' not guilty.' " 

" Was Johnston captured then ? " inquired 

Jock. 



- 



mmm 



■•^ 



NCE. 

t, Jind I 
,t of the 
the Caro- 
assengers, 
the chan- 

y on board 
[ find, you 

:ir then in 
m I men- 
ne of the 
vernments 
is for him 
Governor 
i arrest of 
ras offered 
some were 
jach. The 
ill, for he 
inviction of 
le outrage, 
tried over 
impossible 
:ought in a 

? " inquired 



A MOONLiailT SAIL. 



245 



" He was captured, but not then. He 
was taken later, but not until some otlier 
stirring events had occurred, and even then 
it didn't do much good. But I'll have to 
reserve the other parts of the story of the 
St. Lawrence pirates until your next visit, 
for if I'm going to take you back to camp, 
we must be starting." 

When the boys went down to the dock 
they found that the girls also were to ac- 
company them. Ben's canoe was taken on 
board, and then the party started on one of 
the most enjoyable experiences on the great 
river — a moonlight sail among the islands. 

The time passed rapidly, and when they 
came out into the channel near their camp 
they discovered one of the great river 
steamers before them. To the eager re- 
quest of Miss Bessie "to take the break- 
ers," Mr. Clarke reluctantly consented, and 
the little yacht was headed for the waves 
which could be seen in the wake of the 
steame:". 

The conversation ceased as the yacht 
approached. Ben had taken his seat in 
the bow, and the girls were huddled to- 
gether amidships, half dreading and yet 
eager for the exciting experience. 



m VAMl'lNG ON THE ST LAWRENCE. 

Nearer and nearer came the little craft, 
and s.)on it wan lifted high on the crest of 
the waves. Down it went into the troitgh 
of the sea and rose again as the swell if ed 
it On the third attempt, however, it failed 
to resixmd as promptly as it had done be- 
fore, and instead of rising on the crest of 
the billow it struck it fairly in the mids , 
and in a moment a great flood of water fell 
upon the yacht and swept over its entire 
length. 




NCK. 

ttle craft, 
e crest of 
he trough 
well lifted 
>r, it failed 
I done be- 
le crest of 
the midat, 
' water fell 
r ita entire 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE START FOR THE RAPIDS. 

There was a moment of intense excite- 
ment on the yacht and then came a shrill 
scream as the brave little craft righted it- 
self and came out into the still waters once 
more. As soon as it was perceived that no 
one was injured, the reaction came, and 
shouts of laughter succeeded the cries of 

alarm. 

It was speedily found that no one had 
entirely escaped the sweep of the great 
wave, but Ben had fared worst of all. 
Seated high in the bow as he had been, he 
had received the full force of the water and 
was drenched from head to foot. Some of 
the others had not fared so badly, but now 
that all danger was past, they were disposed 
to make light of the mishap and to look at 
it in the light of a joke. 

«The next time we'd better leave Ben 
at the camp," s.^ggested Bob. "He's a 

247 



2i8 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



m 



regular Jonah. If he can't fall into the 
river, he manages to have the river fctU on 
us. The only safe plan will be to leave 
him out." 

" I don't think you need complain," 
replied Ben, as he ruefully surveyed his 
dripping garments. " I was a regular 
breakwater for you all. I got the most 
of the water myself." 

" We shan't complain," said Mr. Clarke, 
quickly. " It was a foolish venture at 
best. The wavc3 were coming too swiftly 
for the bed to adjust herself. She took 
the first two of the breakers all right, 
but before she could rise for the third it 
was upon us and there was no escape." 

The engineer and pilot had not spoken 
during the conversation, but the broad 
smiles upon their faces were indicative of 
their quiet enjoyment of the mishap, and 
soon they brought the little yacht along- 
side the dock in front of the camp. The 
good nights were then spoken, the boys 
leaped ashore, and as their visitors de- 
parted, they discharged the little brass 
cannon as a parting salute. The shrill 
whistle of the yacht responded, and soon 
the fleet boat had disappeared in the dark- 



JCE. 



THE START FOR THE RAPIDS, 



249 



into the 
ir fa'l on 
I to leave 

mplain," 
eyed his 
regular 
the most 

'. Clarke,, 
mture at 
>o swiftly 
She took 
all right. 
3 third it 
escape." 
ot spoken 
he broad 
icative of 
3hap, and 
sht along- 
tnp. The 
the boys 
jitors de- 
;tle brass 
'he shrill 
and soon 
the dark- 



ness, and all was quiet in the camp on Pine 
Tree Island. 

The days which followed were filled with 
their own experiences, interesting, if not 
novel. Every morning Ben rose before 
his friends, and when they came forth 
from the tent for breakfast they would 
usually see him returning from the river 
in his canoe. His mishaps had only 
served to increase his determination to 
succeed, and though he was careful not to 
boast of his success in the presence of his 
friends, nevertheless his own progress was 
satisfactory, to himself at least. 

Nor was he the only one to use the 
canoes. Sometimes with the bat-wing sails, 
and at other times with only a paddle, the 
boys sg1< forth from the camp, and perhaps 
their lack of skill in no wise detracted 
from the zest of their enjoyment. 

There were trips among the islands on 
the excursion steamers, visits made to 
Kingston. Gananoque, and various other 
points on \q Canadian shore, and occasion- 
ally the boys donned their evening dress 
and repaired to the parlors of the hotels at 
Alexandria Bay. On Sunday Mr. Clarke 
had stopped for them with his yacht and 



250 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



they had gone up to Thousand Island Park 
to attend service there in the huge taber- 
nacle. Indeed, the days were all filled with 
their own interesting experiences, and not 
one of the boys had found a moment of the 
time dragging or uneventful. 

The nearest approach to that experience 
had occurred when one rainy day had come 
and compelled them to remain most of the 
time within their tents. Bob had improved 
the opportunity by perusing a book which he 
refused to let his companions examine, and 
thereby greatly increased their curiosity as 
to its contents ; but he had declared they 
would know what he was doing in due 
time, and must rest content until he should 
be willing to explain it all. 

A decided break in the camp life came 
one day when Ethan said : " I've been 
makin' arrangements for you boys to go 
down the Longue Seaut. I shan't go with 
ye; but you won't need me, for I've got 
word from two o' the boatmen down there, 
and they can do more for ye than I could, 
'cause they know every foot o' the ground." 

"Down the Longue Seaut?" exclaimed 
Jock. " I'd like to go, but I don't know 
what my father would say to it. 1 prom- 



\ENCE. 



THE START FOR THE RAPIDS. 



251 



Island Park 

luge taber- 

fiUed witli 

38, and not 

lent of the 



experience 
1^ had come 
nost of the 
d improved 
)k which he 
amine, and 
curiosity as 
Blared they 
ng in due 
il he should 

p life came 
' I've been 
boys to go 
n't go with 
>r I've got 
lown there, 
m I could, 
ie ground." 
exclaimed 
on't know 
1 prom- 



ised him when we came away we wouldn't 
take any chances." 

" I wrote him," replied Ethan, quietly, 
" an' he says it's all right." 

" Right it is, then," exclaimed Jock, 
delightedly. " I've been through the 
rapids there on a steamer when I went to 
Montreal, and it's a great experience, I can 
tell you, fellows. The water is tossing and 
boiling all around you, and the boat just 
shuts off all steam and lets her go it. You 
feel the boat go bump ! bump ! and all the 
time it seems as if the water was just drop- 
ping out from under yon all. Do we really 
go through the rapids in skiffs, Ethan?" 

" Yes, that's jost what ye do, only ye take 
what they call the Little Seaut instead o' the 
Big Seaut. All the difference the' is, is that 
one is on one side o' the island an' the 
other the other. An' the Little Seaut isn't 
quite so big as the Big Seaut, though there 
isn't a sight o' difference between them." 

" You think it will be safe for us, do 
you ? " inquired Bob, quietly. 

" Safe ? Yes, or I wouldn't let ye go. 
'Twouldn't be safe for ye to try it alone, 
but in the hands o' the men I'm goin' to 
trust ye to, ye'll be all right enough. An' 



% 




^52 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ye'll find some fishin' there what is fishin', 
I'm tellin' ye." . 

" I'm sorry you and Tom are not to go," 
said Jock. 

" So be I ; but I've got some work to do 
on my place, an' Tom here is goin' to prac- 
tise his Hamlick. They're to have the 
show next week, ain't they, Tom ? " 

"Yes," replied Tom. ''I'd like to go 
with you, boys, but I can't this trip. Per- 
haps you'll get a muscallonge or a sturgeon, 
and that will pay you well." 

" Yes," said Ethan, " it's 'bout time for 
muscallonge to begin to run. If ye git one- 
o' them fellows, you'll never forget it all 
yer born days. They're fish what is fish ! 
An', besides, everything isn't fished out 
down there. Up here the lines is so thick 
that it's like runnin' through the meshes 
of a seine for a sizable fish to get up the 
river." 

The interest of the boys was keen enough 
now to satisfy even the old boatman, and 
in response to Jock's request he explained 
the plans he had made for them. 

" Now yer best way will be to take the 
steamboat down to Ogdensburgh to-morrow 
mornin', and there ye change to a little boat 



UNCE. 

is fishJn', 

lot to go," 

ork to do 
to prac- 
have the 
?" 

like to go 
trip. Per- 
a sturgeon, 

t time for 
ye git one- 
>rget it all 
lat is fish ! 
fished out 
is so thick 
the meshes 
get up the 

Jen enough 

itman, and 

explained 

) take the 
to-morrow- 
little boat 



THE START FOR THE RAPIDS. 



253 



that'll take ye down to Masseny. or rather 
it'll take you to the Landin'. Then ye can 
drive over to the Springs [Massena Springs, 
Ethan meant] an' there's some big taverns 
there. City folks come up to drink the 
water, though for my part I'd about as 
soon drink dish-water or pisin' tea." 

" Do they have ' pi's 'n things ' there too ? " 
inquired Bert, soberly. 

"You'll find eout all 'bout that," re- 
sponded Ethan. " Then the next mornin', 
afore it's fairly light, ye'll have to be drove 
back to the river, — it isn't more'n three or 
four mile. — an' yer boatman will be there 
by the Landin', all ready and waitin for ye. 
Then they'll take ye in their boats down 
through the rapids, and send the team 
along the shore, so't ye can ride back ; an' 
they'll have a rig to bring back the boats 
too." 

" Why don't they sail or row back ? " in- 
quired Ben. 

"Why don't they row back? Well, I 
guesf* ye won't be askin' no sech question 
as that after ye git there. Ye '11 know 
more'n ye do now. Oh, there's another 
thing," he added; "ye don't want to take 
yer fish-poles along." 



254 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" Why not ? " inquired Jock, quickly. " I 
thought you said there was fine fishing 
there. I should think we'd want to take 
our rods with us." 

" No, ye don't want yer rods," said Ethan, 
sharply. " Ye might jist as well have pipe- 
stems as them poles o' yours. They'll have 
all the rods ye want. I've got that all fixed 
for ye." 

Ethan soon afterward departed from the 
camp, aad left the boys to themselves. For 
a time they talked over the exciting pros- 
pect, and at last Bob said : " It grieves me, 
fellows, to see you wasting your time like 
this. Now I feel it my duty to enlighten 
you as to the third expedition which Cartier 
made — " 

But Bob got no further. With a shout 
his companions rose from the ground and 
ran swiftly to the tent, where they at once 
prepared to retire. Bob soon followed, first 
piling the logs high upon the camp-fire, and 
then he too forgot all about Cartier's third 
voyage of exploration. 

The camp was astir early on the follow- 
ing morning, and as the boys were to go to 
Alexandria Bay to take a steamer at an 
hour which was early even for the early- 



I ! 



I 



ENCE. 

iiickly. " I 
ine fishing 
mt to take 

said Ethan, 
1 have pipe- 
?hey'll have 
hat all fixed 

Bd from the 
selves. For 
citing pros- 
grieves me, 
ir time like 
X) enlighten 
hich Cartier 

''ith a shout 
wround and 
hey at once 
(llowed, first 
imp-fire, and 
irtier's third 

the follow- 
'^ere to go to 
lamer at an 
r the early- 



THE START FOR THE RA PID8. 



255 



rising Ethan, they hastily ate the breakfast 
of "pi's 'n things" which the boatman had 
prepared before his departure on the preced- 
ing night. 

As soon as this had been eaten they closed 
the tents, which Ethan and Tom had prom- 
ised to visit daily in the absence of the boys, 
and ran down to the dock, where the skiff 
was in readiness. 

"That's too big a load," said Ben, as he 
stopped before the boat in which his com- 
panions were already seated. " I'll not go 

in that craft." 

"Oh, come on, Ben!" shouted Bert. 
« You won't have to do any of the rowmg. 

" I'm not afraid of that." 

" Well, what are you afraid of, then . 

Come along." 

" I'm afraid of you. ^ I'll go over to the 

bay in my ' light canoe.' " 

As he still refused to listen to the boys, 
Jock said : " Let him come in the canoe, 
fellows. He'd only tip us over if we took 
him in the skiff." „ 

" I'm learning to paddle my own canoe, 
called Ben, as his friends started. "Im 
like the little busy bee, which lmpro^^e8 
each shining hour — " 




\- 



f :. 



25tj CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"Come on, Ben," called Bob. "You'll 
be late, and we'll lose the steamer." 

Ben smiled as he took his place in the 
canoe, and, grasping his paddle, sent his 
craft swiftly over the water. Soon he had 
overtaken his companions, and despite the 
efforts of Jock, who was rowing, to keep up 
with him, speedily passed the skiff, and ar- 
rived at the bay long before they did. The 
boys discovered him seated on the edge of 
the dock, swinging his long legs over the 
water, and gazing with an air of abstraction 
about him. 

" Why, hello, fellows ! Where'd you come 
from ? " he exclaimed, as the skiff approached. 

" That's what you've been doing morn- 
ings, when you were up so long before us, 
was it?" said Jock, as the boys landed. 
" I must say you have improved, Ben, in 
your ' canoemanship.' What are you think- 
ing of?" 

Whatever the thoughts in Ben's mind 
may have been he did not give them utter- 
ance, and after the boys had left the boat 
in charge li a man at the bay, they all re- 
turned and joined him on the dock. 

It was not long afterward when the 
steamer arrived, and they were received on 



RENCE. 

b. " You'll 
er." 

place in the 
le, sent his 
)Oon he had 

despite the 
, to keep up 
kiff, and ar- 
y did. The 

the edge of 
gs over the 
" abstraction 

3'd you come 
approached, 
loing morn- 
g before us, 
oys landed, 
ed, Ben, in 
e you think- 

Ben's mind 

them utter- 

3ft the boat 

they all re- 

3ck. 

when the 

received on 



THE START FOR THK RAI'WS. 



257 



board. Taking their seats together on the 
deck beneath the canopy, they gazed with 
interest about them as the boat passed down 
he river. The camps and cottage^ we 
stirring now, and agam our boys felt the 
exMaration of a ride in the early mornmg 
on the great river. When they approached 
^The Rocks" they could see the people on 
the piazza, and waved their handkerch^e a 
as a morning salute. A returning salu^e 
L gil, but whether they had been rec 

ogni.^d or not they could not determine, 
^he ride to Ogdensburgh was enjoyed all 
t Jway, and when they arrived there they 
td their dinner, and soon after embar^^^^^^^ 
on the little steamer which was to carry 
them to Massena. 

t" e increasing novelty of the scene kept 
J™ interested in spite of 'he tune whch 
had been consumed since theyh^l departed 
from their camp. The cun-ent wa« mnc^ 
swifter, they perceived, as they went do«.. 
tte riv r. In places it seemed to msh w^h 
a s^^ that made the efforts of the httk 
b<r almost nseless. There were great 
wteling eddies, too; and as the boys ga^d 

It them they were wondenng wh t the 
Longue Seaut Rapids must be if the pla«e 



I'll 



I ' 



258 CAMPixa oy the sr. lawuknce. 

where they were was thought to be com- 
paratively srrKv^rh and safe. 

Late in the afternoon they arrived at the 
" Landing," and although they discovered 
there that they might have made plans dif- 
ferent from those which Ethan had made 
for them, they were not inclined to com- 
plain when they were seated in the wagon 
which was to convey them to Massena 
Springs. 

The road led through a prosperous farm- 
ing country, and though evidently it was 
somewhat new, as far as the abode of the 
people who dwelt there was concerned, it 
still left upon the boys the impression of 
great age Occasionally, in the distance 
behind them, they could obtain glimpses of 
the mighty St. Lawrence rushing onward 
as if already it had heard the call of the 
rapids. Dairy farms, orchards, cheese fac- 
tories, and various other interesting sights 
were passed, all pf interest to the eager 
lads. There was almost no time for 
them to tire, for a ride of a few miles 
brought them into the little village of 
Massena. 

Then up the long street they, rode to 
Massena Springs, distant about a mile from 



b 



'UKNCE. 

to be com- 

rived at the 
f discovered 
ie plans dif- 
1 had made 
led to com- 
1 the wagon 
to Massena 

lerous farm- 
ntly it was 
Lbode of the 
oncerned, it 
ipression of 
he distance 

glimpses of 
ing onward 

call of the 

cheese fac- 
sting sights 
3 the eager 
> time for 

few miles 
village of 

ley. rode to 
a mile from 



THE START FOR THE RAPIDS. 



•259 



the main village, and there their driver 
stopped before a modest brick hotel. ^^ 

This, then, must be the " tavern of 
which Ethan had spoken; and glad to have 
arrived at the end of their journey, he 
boys leaped out, and at once entered the 
building. 



atammmr 



'.V 



m 



^: 



m. 



m 




CHAPTER XXI. 

SHOOTING THE LONGUE SEAUT. 

That evening the boys visited the 
" Springs " proper, and drank of the v.-iiters 
which were supposed to be of a quality to 
rt'-<tore all wasted faculties of mind and 
body. The taste, however, was anything 
but agreeable to the lads, whiih was ex- 
plained to them by the fact that none of 
their vital forces had been wasted, and, 
therefore, there was no craving for that 
which would supply their deficiencies. 

They were interested in the stories which 
were told them of the good old times before 
the introduction of railroads and similar 
modern contrivances, when people from far 
and near used to journey to the springs in 
pursuit of restored youth and strength, sto- 
ries which " reminded " Bob of the efforts 
of the early discoverers to find the fountain 
of youth in the far-off land of Florida. 

He was compelled to postpone his lec- 

260 



'■.-..., I , JJ-i 'i JliHEMBMiiff I II W 



:aut. 



isited the 
the Winters 
, quality to 
mind and 
3 anything 
ih was ex- 
at none of 
isted, and, 
g for that 
icies. 

ories which 
imes before 
nd similar 
le from far 
springs in 
•ength, sto- 
the efforts 
le fountain 
orida. 
le his lec- 




J 




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23 WFST MAIN STREET 

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 

(716) 872-4503 




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Microfiche 

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CIHM/ICMH 
Collection de 
microfiches. 



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Canadian Institute for Historicai IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 





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L 



SHOOTING THE LONGUE SEAUT. 261 

ture, however, for the boys decided to re- 
tire at once, and soon all four were sleeping 
soundly in the " tavern " which Ethan had 
recommended. 

Only the gray of the dawn had appeared 
when they were summoned in the morning, 
and hastily dressing, they made their way to 
the dining room, where an early breakfast 
was served them. Their carriage was in 
waiting for them even at that early hour, 
and soon they were riding back to the 
Landing, where boats and boatmen were to 
be ready for them, if Ethan's plans were 

fulfilled. 

The driver explained to them on their 
way that the day was not to be a very 
good one for fishing, for it gave promise of 
being bright and intensely warm. The 
latter prophecy was the more difficult to 
believe, for the boys felt the chill of the 
early morning, although each had brought 
an overcoat for protection. 

The impression of the great age of the re- 
gion seemed to be stronger in the early hours 
even than it had been in the preceding 
evening. The stillness was almost oppres- 
sive. Anything like the bustle and stir of 
the great city was almost like the mem- 



262 VAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ory of a dream. Here, at least, were peace 
and quiet, and even the problems of life 
itself were all remote and vague. As they 
drew nearer the river, from some of the 
farmhouses the occupants came forth and 
stopped for a moment to gaze at the pass- 
ing carriage, and then turned to the barn- 
yards where the cattle were waiting to be 
milked. Men and women, boys and girls, 
all came forth to engage in this occupation, 
and all alike seemed to have been there for 
years, and to belong to the very antiquity 
of the region. 

Keenly as the boys were enjoying the 
ride, they all seemed to be disinclined 
to talk, and the first break in the silence 
came when the flash of the great river was 
perceived beyond the distant trees. Soon 
they came to a spot from which the swiftly 
moving waters could be more clearly seen, 
and then their driver turned into the road 
which ran along the bank, and the river 
was all the time within sight. 

It was a marvellously impressive scene. 
The glory of the coming day was almost 
upon them. The fertile farm-lands, the 
thriving farmers, the cattle huddled to- 
gether near the barns, or already trailing off 



WBENCE. 

8t, were peace 
)blems of life 
Tue. As they 
some of the 
me forth and 
e at the pass- 
d to the barn- 
waiting to be 
oys and girls, 
lis occupation, 
been there for 
very antiquity 

1 enjoying the 
be disinclined 

in the silence 
jreat river was 
it trees. Soon 
lich the swiftly 
re clearly seen, 
1 into the road 

and the river 
t. 

ipressive scene. 
Lay was almost 
farm-lands, the 
le huddled to- 
eady trailing off 



SHOOTING THE LONGUE SEAUT. 



263 



for the distant pastures, driven, perhaps, by 
some barefooted boy ; the evidences of life 
and civilization on all sides, were supple- 
mented by the swiftly moving waters of 
the mighty river from which they were sel- 
dom able to remove their gaze. 

It was not long afterward when they 
arrived at the Landing, and all other 
thoughts were forgotten in the eagerness 
with which they looked before them to 
discover some trace of their boatmen. 

These were speedily found, and as they 
declared that all things were in readiness 
for the expedition of the day, our boys 
were soon on board the skiffs, which were 
as beautiful and shapely as those they had 
seen and used among the Thousand Islands. 
Jock and Bob were assigned to one skiff, 
in which their boatman, George, was wait- 
ing. He was a young man of quiet man- 
ners, and his companions at once had a 
feeling of implicit confidence in him as he 
quietly greeted them. Ben and Bert were 
in the other skiff, and with their boatman, 
a much older man than George, were the 
first to leave the dock, and soon had dis- 
appeared from the sight of their friends 
as they moved swiftly down the river. 



264 CAMPING ON TUE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Jock and Bob soon followed, and as 
George rowed out with the current, he said, 
quietly, " You might as well put out your 
lines, boys. You never can tell what'll 

happen." 

He rested a moment upon his oars, and 
after baiting the hooks with frogs, cast 
the lines into the water and, taking up 
his oars, again held the boat closer to the 
shore, and prevented it from moving too 
fast in the swift current. 

The rods, as Ethan had foretold, were 
very different from those which the boys 
had previously used. They were short, stout 
hickory poles, and the reels were several 
times as large as the ones to which they 
had been accustomed. Indeed, they seemed 
like small wheels, four or five inches in 
diameter; but as Jock settled back into 
his chair in the stern and began to pay out 
his line, he could see that Bob, whose chair 
was on the other side of the boatman, was 
as content as he, and no questions were 

asked. 

For a time the boys gave themselves up 
to the enjoyment of the morning, after 
George had declared that they had enough 
line out. The sun was now to be seen 



'ENCE. 

id, and as 
mt, he said, 
[t out your 
tell what'U 

IS oars, and 

frogs, cast 

taking up 

oser to the 

moving too 

retold, were 
;h the boys 
I short, stout 
^rere several 

which they 
they seemed 
re inches in 
id back into 
n to pay out 

whose chair 
loatman, was 
lestions were 

lemselves up 
orning, after 
f had enough 
f to be seen 



SHOOTING THE LONGUE 8EAUT. 



265 



Mi 



above the eastern horizon, and was flood- 
ing the earth with its glory. Birds were 
singing in the bushes on the shore, the 
sparkling waters were rushing on with 
unabated speed, and the beautiful skiff 
seemed to be a part of the scene itself, and 
almost to belong to the river. George 
was watching the lines of the boys, though 
they themselves were unmindful of them, 
as the boat was carried forward by the 

stream. 

Suddenly Jock felt a gentle tug at his 
line and turned sharply about. The pull 
was not repeated, but as he glanced at 
George questioningly, the boatman nodded 
Ms head and Jock began to reel m his line. 
He soon discovered that something was pull- 
ing sturdily back, but he reeled steadily, and 
as he glanced down into the water, he could 
see a fish fast to his hook. 

"Pike," said George, quietly. "Reel 
him in. Be careful ! Don't give him any 
slack. There ! That's the way," he added, 
as with a quick movement of his gaff he 
drew the struggling fish on board. 

"He's a beauty!" exclaimed Jock, de- 
lightedly. " What'll he weigh, George ? " 
"Oh, four or five pounds, perhaps. 



266 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



You'll see some bigger ones than that if 
we have any luck to-day. 'Tisn't a very 
good day for fishing, though." 

He resumed his labors with the oars, but 
both boys were alert now, and were wait- 
ing for the welcome tug which would indi- 
cate that the longed for strike had been 
made. 

Bob was the next to reel in his line, and 
to his delight he discovered that he too had 
a pike, though not so large as that of his 
friend. Several fish were caught by each 
of the boys as they went down the stream, 
and for the time the thoughts of the rapids 
were forgotten in the excitement of« the 
present occupation. 

" This fishing doesn't amount to much," 
said George, quietly, as he removed Jock's 
latest catch. "When we get below the 

rapids yonder we'll be more likely to find 

» »> 
em. 

At his words the boys glanced up, and the 
sight before them almost drove the color from 
their faces. Far in ad vance they could see the 
tossing waters of the Longue Seaut Rapids. 
A whirling mass of water seemed to stretch 
away in the distance as far as they could 
see. The waves tossed and rose and fell, 



• 



HENCE. 

han that if 
isn't a very 

he oars, but 
I were wait- 
would iiidi- 
:e had been 

his line, and 
t he too had 

that of his 
ght by each 

the stream, 
)f the rapids 
nent of» the 

it to much," 
loved Jock's 
b below the 
likely to find 

J up, and the 
he color from 
could see the 
eaut Rapids, 
ed to stretch 
s they coidd 
ose and fell, 







,. ■ l' — ^J^ 



SHOOTINiJ TllK LONG UK SKAUT. 207 

and the air was filled with clouds of spray. 
The rocks along the shore were at times 
alra(3st hidden from sight as the mad river 
dashed against them. A roaring sonnd 
seemed to fill the air, and already the boat 
appeared to feel the quickened movement 
of the river, for all about them the St. 
Lawrence was moving forward, swift and 
silent, as if it, too, had drawn in its breath 
for that fearful plunge into the tossmg, 
heaving, boiling, boisterous mass before it. 

Not far in advance they could see a great 
island, which seemed to present a point to 
the advancing river. At all events the 
waters divided there, and along each side 
went rushing on to the calmer regions below. 
"Whew!" said Jock, drawing a long 
breath. "Then that's the Longue Seaut, 

is it ? " 

" Yes," replied George, quietly, as if the 
awe-inspiring sight produced no impression 

upon him. 

"You don't mean to say were going 

through that in this skiff?" inquired 

Bob. 

"Yes." . „ - * 

" Is it safe ? Can you make it ? " 

, "Yes." 



f 



2(58 CAMPING oy Tim ST. LA^y^^K.\cE. 

" We go to the right of the island, don't 
we ? " said Jock, in a low voice. 

" Yes." 

"This side is what they call the Little 
Seaut, isn't it ? " he inquired. 

" Yes." 

The boys glanced nervously again at the 
seething waters in the distance. The fact 
that they were to go through the " Little " 
Seaut, instead of the Big, did not seem to 
afford any great amount of comfort ; but 
neither spoke, and their boatman, they had 
already discovered, was very different from 
Ethan, and not inclined to conversation of 
any kind. 

" You'd better reel in your lines, boys," 
said George, quietly. 

" I thought you said this was where the 
fish were," said Jock, nevertheless begin- 
ning to reel in as the boatman directed. 

" No. Down below the rapids. The 
fish work up into the bays and lie there 
for what they want to come down the 
stream, and then they dart out and get it. 
I'm going to land here for a moment." 

He sent the boat ashore, and the boys 
eagerly watched him as he took a light 
pole and went out to one ol the projecting 



nuEycE. 

! island, don't 
:e. 

all the Little 



y again at the 
ice. The fact 

the " Little " 
1 not seem to 

comfort ; but 
man, they had 
different from 
onversation of 

r lines, boys," 

was where the 

•theless begin- 

n directed. 

rapids. The 

and lie there 

me down the 

lit and get it. 

moment." 

and the boys 

took a light 

the projecting 



BIIOOriNU THE LONOUE SEAUT. 



269 



rocks. There he fished for a few minutes, 
and after he had secured a half-do/on good- 
si.ed " chubs," he returned to the pkce on 

the Hliore where the boys were waiting for 

^'\^a:tla;i,now. We'll shoot tue 
rapids, though I haven't as many of the 
chubs as I wish I had. It's too bright and 

^TtC £ could testify to the latter 
fact, as they resumed their seats on board. 
Their faces were streaming with perspira- 
tion, though as a matter of fact the warm 
rays of the sun had little to do with that 

They could not remove their gaze from that 
terror-inspiring scene, and as George drew 
back his sleeves and grasped his oars, hey 
too, unconsciously grasped the sides of the 
boat as if they were seeking for some pro- 

*' NTone spoke now, and soon the little 
skiff was caught in the current and began 
to dart forward with ever-Increasing speed. 
George's face was set and hard, and he, too, 
occasionally glanced behind him as if he 
was striving to get his bearings. 

On and on moved the switt-flymg skiff, 
and then, almost before the boys were 



• 1 
l! 

ii 
1 1 

I. 



270 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

aware of it, they were caught in the 
foaming rapids and swept forward with 
incredible speed. The boatman was not 
rowing now, only striving, with an occa- 
sional use of one oar, to keep the bow of 
the skiff pointed straight down the river. 

A moment later and they were in the 
midst of the roar, and the swiftly moving 
skiff increased its speed. Jock was aware 
of Bob's white countenance, and somehow 
felt rather than saw that the trees and 
rocks along the shore were rushing rapidly 
past them. He had no thought of time. 
He was too excited even to feel afraid. 
The boat was darting madly forward, and 
almost before he was aware of it they had 
gained the foot of the island, and there he 
discovered that the two parts of the rapids 
came together and the loud roarmg became 
deeper and stronger. 

Out into the united channel the frail skiff 
was swept, and then the current bore them 
with the speed of a race-horse straight across 
the river, till it seemed as if nothing could 
save them from being dashed upon the rocks 
that lined the opposite shore. 

George had not spoken since they had en- 
tered the rapids, and, indeed, the roar of the 



RENCE. 

ght in the 
>rward with 
an was not 
ith an occa- 
( the bow of 

the river, 
were in the 
^iftly moving 
•k was aware 
ind somehow 
le trees and 
shing rapidly 
ight of time. 
I feel afraid. 

forward, and 
f it they had 
and there he 
of the rapids 
jaring became 

the frail skiff 
■ent bore them 
straight across 

nothing could 
upon the rocks 

36 they had en- 
the roar of the 



SHOOTING THE LONGUE SEAUT. 271 

rushing waters would probably have drowned 
the sound of his voice had he tried to speak 
aloud to his companions. He was, however 
constantly alert, and with an occasional 
quick strong pull upon one of his oars, 
kept the boat headed aright. 

Just before the skiff came to the shore, 
and it seemed as if nothing could save them, 
there was a sharp turn in the current. In- 
stantly George drove one oar deep mto the 
water, and putting forth all his strength, 
brought the skiff aright, and then it dashed 
forward down the stream. 

There was a grating sound as the boat 
touched a rock that came close up to the 
surface, but as the boys, with still paler 
faces, glanced over the sides to look at the 
bottom, they were swept onward, and m a 
moment the peril was passed. 

Soon the waters were calmer, and though 
running swiftly, were not so boisterous, and 
the tossing waves were all behind them. As 
Jock glanced back it seemed to him that 
they had come down a hill of water ; but 
before him the river apparently had resumed 
its peaceful aspect, and the danger had been 

'^^''That was a close call," said Jock, with a 



272 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

sigh of relief. "When we struck that rock 
I thought we were done for. Weren't you 
frightened, George ? " 
" No." 

"But what would have happened if it 
had made a hole in the boat?" 
" We'd have sunk." 

" We could have swum with the current, 
I think," said Bob. 

" No, you couldn't," said George. " You'd 
have been sucked under in a minute." 

" Whew ! " whistled Bob. " I'm glad we've 
been through the Longue Seaut, but I don't 
believe I care to do it again." 

"Where are the other boys?" inquired 
Jock, quickly. "They were ahead of us. 
You don't suppose they've had any accident, 
do you, George?" 

" No ; they're down in that bay you can 
see ahead of us." 

" Is that where we're going ? " 
" No, we'll stop here," replied George. " If 
we don't have any luck, then we'll go on 
down where they are. That's the best place 
along the river." 

George turned the skiff, and with a few 
short, powerful strokes, sent the boat into 
the quiet waters. Almost as if a line had 



«.JI|] l ll l l] l l l i> i H i W»M 



WRENCE. 

'uck that rock 
Weren't you 



appened if it 

t?" 

bh the current, 

orge. "You'd 
minute." 
I'm glad we've 
Lut, but I don't 

tys?" inquired 
a ahead of us. 
d any accident, 

at bay you can 



SHOOTING THE LONGUE SKAUT. 273 

been drawn, across which no waters could 
pass, the quiet place in the river was sepa- 
rated from the rushing current. It seemed 
strange and almost unnatural, but the divid- 
ing line was plainly to be discerned, and, be- 
sides, the skiff was as motionless as if it had 
been resting on a sheltered pond. 

To make them still more secure, however, 
George dropped the anchor overboard, and 
• then baiting the hooks with the large chubs, 
threw them into the water close to the divid- 
ing line, and resuming his seat, waited to 
test the " luck " which was to be had in still- 
fishing in this sheltered spot. 



ed George. "If 
en we'll go on 
's the best place 

and with a few 
t the boat into 
is if a line had 



CHAPTER XXII. 



I 



THE RIVALS. 

For a time the boys were busy in the oc- 
cupation which followed. Evidently they 
had arrived at the right time, and when a 
half hour had passed, a number of bass and 
pickerel had been added to the collection 
already stored in the fish box. Mter that 
there was a lull in the sport, and they were 
more occupied in watching the hurrymg 
waters only a few yards away, than m their 
own immediate task. 

George, meanwhile, had taken one of the 
dead chubs and, placing it on a l^ook dropped 
the line into the water, and though he had 
no rod, he " played " his bait so well that in 
a few minutes he felt a savage tug, and 
quickly yanked his line on board, though he 
failed to land his trophy. ^^ 

"They're savage this morning, he re- 
marked, as he looked at his hook, on which 
the head of the chub was still fast, havmg 
been cut from the body as if by a knife. 

274 



.£..j~ 



J*S!S!^±. 



THE RIVALS. 



275 



isy in the oc- 
/idently they 
, and when a 
jr of bass and 
the collection 
:. After that 
and they were 
the hurrying 
, than in their 

ken one of the 
, hook, dropped 
though he had 
so well that in 
Lvage tug, and 
aard, though he 

jming," he re- 
hook, on which 
till fast, having 
i by a knife. 



-Did a fish do that?" inquired Jock, 
eagerly, as he gazed curiously at George s 

^""''mt's what he did. I've known 'em 
to do worse things than that. Hello, he 
suddenly added, " the other boy's got some- 

i-Vk 111 rp 

Bob, who was too much engaged to heed 
his new appellation of " the other boy, cer- 
tainly did "have" something. His rod 
was drawn beneath the surface, and when 
he strove to lift it, it seemed to be fast 
to the bottom. 

He was speedily undeceived, however, for 
his line began to cut swiftly through the 
water, and he rose from his seat in his 
eagerness. The others were as deeply in- 
terested as he, and it was evident that Bob s 
strike was of no ordinary character. George 
grasped one oar and brought the boat about, 
carefully avoiding the current and at he 
same time favoring the movements of the 
excited young fisherman. 

^' He must have a monster!" said Jock, 

^^^^iJs a big one, and no mistake," replied 
George " Now, be careful with your slack. 
There, that's right," he added, as Bob once 



^i 1 1 

'niii 









276 CAMPIXO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

more permitted the struggling fish to run 
with the line. 

But Bob was wary now, and had had suf- 
ficient experience to enable him to play his 
victim well. The struggle continued for 
several minutes, and at last, with a quick, 
deft swing of his rod, he brought the 
wearied fish alongside the boat, and George 
speelily had it on board with a thrust of 
his ever-ready gaff-hook. 

Both boys were excited as they viewed 
the prize, and Jock exclaimed, — 
" It's a pike, isn't it, George ? " 
« Yes." 

" How much will it weigh ? " 
"Oh, twelve or thirteen pound. Look 
there, will you!" he added, as he drew 
from the mouth of the pike, which had 
been despatched with a blow from the 
hickory club, a part of the body of a large 
chub. " He's the fellow who cut my bait 

in two." 

"What savage fellows they are!" said 
Jock, as he examined the bait which George 
had thrown upon the bottom of the boat. 

" They are that," replied George. " All 
these fish are regular tigers, and the bass 
are about the worst of all. Still, they'll 



VRENCE. 

; fish to run 

had had suf- 
cn to play his 
lontinued for 
with a quick, 

brought the 
t, and George 
ti a thrust of 

they viewed 



pound. Look 
i, as he drew 
Le, which had 
ov from the 
ody of a large 
o cut my bait 

ey are!" said 
j which George 
of the boat. 
George. " All 
, and the bass 
Still, they'll 



THE RIVALS. 



277 



take good care of their own young ones. 
I've seen the bass form a regular patrol m 
front of some little bay or creek where the 
little fellows are, and woe be to the fish that 
dares to come anywhere near them ! We U 
try it some more," he added, as he placed 
a fresh bait upon Bob's hook and threw it 

into the water. 

But with the capture of the huge pike 
success seemed to have departed, and at 
last George drew up his anchor, and alter 
bidding the boys to let out their lines, 
grasped his oars, and sent the boat out into 
the swiftly running current once more. 

Again they were borne down the stream 
with almost incredible swiftness, and soon 
approached the bay where George had de- 
clared they would find their friends. And 
there they discovered them, trolhng back 
and forth in the sheltered spot. 

Their approach was greeted with a hail, 
and they could see Ben seated in the stern 
of the boat, even then reeling in a fish As 
his friends came nearer he held aloft the 
prize he had taken, and shouted,— 
« What luck, fellows ? " 
« Great ! " responded Jock. " What have 
you had ? How many have you got ? " 



..,11 
lit! 



iT I 



^11 



278 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" We've sixty or seventy pounds," replied 
Ben, as he resumed his seat. 

"What does he mean by that?" inquired 
Jock, turning to George as he spoke. 

"Oh, everybody down here measures a 
catch by its weight. They don't count their 
fish; they weigh 'em, or guess at the 

weight." 

" How much have we got ? " 

" We haven't over fifty pound. Hold up 
that pike, and ask 'em whether they've got 
anything to match that." 

Jock held aloft Bob's prize, and called 
proudly, "Have you anything to match 
that ? Isn't that a beauty ? " 

" That's pretty good," replied Ben,^ " but 
we've one that can go you one better ; " and 
as he spoke he, too, held up a pike which 
certainly was no smaller than the one in 
Jock's hands, and might be even larger. 
" Dum it ! " muttered George, as he began 

to row again. 

"What's the trouble, George?" inquired 

Bob. 

"I don't want to go back and have it 
said that Hank McBride had a bigger 
catch than I did. I wish we could get a 
muscallonge." 






i WHENCE. 

)unds," replied 

lat?" inquired 
i spoke, 
re measures a 
m't count their 
guess at the 

?" 

und. Hold up 

her they've got 

rize, and called 
hing to match 

plied Ben, " but 
le better ; " and 
ip a pike which 
han the one in 
even larger, 
rge, as he began 

orge?" inquired 

Lck and have it 

B had a bigger 

we could get a 



THE RIVALS. 



279 



"Isn't it early for them to run?" said 
Jock. " I thought they came later." 

«'Tis a bit early, but then we might 
strike one. I'd like to have you get the 
first of the season, for I haven't heard of 
one being caught yet. There always has to 
be a first, though, and if we could get it, it 
would make Hank green with envy. He 
thinks he's the boss boatman on the river." 
"You don't wish so any more than we 
do," replied Jock, eagerly. " I'd be willing 
to give a silver dollar for one." 
" Hush ! " said George, quickly. 
"What's wrong?" inquired Jock, inno- 
cently. 

"Don't let them hear anything about 
money. If we should happen to get a mus- 
callonge and they should hear you say any- 
thing about money. Hank would declare 
we'd bought it. It's the way he always 

does." 

The conversation suddenly ceased, for 
Jock had felt the welcome tug at his line, 
and all his attention was required to land 
his fish. When it was thrown into the boat 
it proved to be a pike of fair size; but 
George was keenly disappointed, as it was 
evident now that he longed for larger game, 






280 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

both to satisfy his own desires and to show 
the envious Hank that he owned no mo- 
nopoly of the fish of the St. Lawrence. 

The rivalry between the boatmen was a 
new and novel feature of the sport, and 
Jock and Bob soon found themselves sym- 
pathizing with their own boatman. They 
were almost as eager as he to add to their 
catch, and every strike was hailed with a 

fresh delight. 

The sun was now high in the heavens, 
and, sheltered as the boats were from every 
breeze, the boys were soon sweltermg m 
the heat. To add to their discomfort the 
fish almost ceased to bite, and when another 
hour had passed and not a further prize 
had been secured by either party, George 
rowed his skiff in toward the other boat 
and hailed his rival. . „ „ 

" Hank, isn't it about quitting-time ? 
"Yes," responded Hank, as tersely as 
George had spoken. ^ 

" Where shall we have our dinner ? Isn t 
Barnhart's about as good a place as any ? " 
"Barnhart's all right," responded the 
other boatman. " You go over and start 
a fire, and we'll join you in a few mmutes. 
" Keep your lines out, boys," said George 



WRENCE. 

s and to show 
3wned no mo- 
jawrence. 
)oatmen was a 
the sport, and 
lemselves syra- 
)atman. They 
,0 add to their 
hailed with a 

n the heavens, 
^ere from every 
I sweltering in 
discomfort the 
id when another 
a further prize 
: party, George 
the other boat 

itting-time ? " 
:, as tersely as 

ir dinner ? Isn't 
place as any ? " 

responded the 
) over and start 

a few minutes." 
)y8," said George 



THE RIVALS. 



m 



to his companions. " You probably won t 
get anything, but you might as well be 
ready if a muscallouge does come along 
and takes a fancy to your bait." 

With lusty strokes he turned the skitt 
about, and once more rowed out into the 
swift current. Then down the stream they 
darted, but the novelty was mostly gone 
now, and besides, both boys were ready for 
the dinner to which George had referred. 

After the skiff had gone with the current 
for a half mile or more, its course was 
changed and, passing through the stiller 
waters, was sent ashore at a beautiful place 
on Barnhart's Island. . 

As the boys leaped out they perceived 
that the spot selected by their boatman 
was in the midst of a grove of maple trees, 
a « sugar bush," George called it, and the 
cool shade was so inviting that both threw 
themselves upon the grass, glad of the 
opportunity to stretch themselves once more. 
" If you boys want to help you might be 
getting some wood together," suggested 
George. " If you're hungry it will hurry up 

things a bit." xu • • 

Both boys quickly responded to the invi- 
tation, and soon had a considerable pile of 



m 



282 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

broken branches and driftwood collected in 
tlie spot indicated by their boatman. 
^ '-It's just like Hank McBride to leave 
me to do all the work and then come in 
when everything's ready," growled George, 
as he placed a small iron pot over the wood 
and started a tire. 

" What do you do it for, then ? " inquired 

Bob, lazily. „ , . u 

"Hey? Oh, I have to. Hanks been 
here longer'n I have, and what he says 
most generally has to be done." 

Neither of the boys continued the discus- 
sion, however, for just then they discovered 
Hank approaching with their friends. In 
a moment his boat was grounded, and 
before any one could leap ashore, Jock and 
Bob ran hastily toward them. 

"What did you get? Where's your 
catch?" inquired Jock, eagerly. 

When the fish box was opened before 
them they could instantly see that the 
catch was greater than their own ; but they 
made no comments, and returned with their 
friends to view their own fish. 

" They aren't all there," declared George, 
who now joined them for a moment. " I'm 
cleaning some for dinner, and, besides, we 



yi. 



J 



VRENCB. 

d collected in 
itinan. 

ride to leave 
then come in 
)wled George, 
over the wood 

en ? " inquired 

Hank's been 
what he says 

led the discus- 
hey discovered 
ir friends. In 
grounded, and 
hore, Jock and 

Where's your 
jrly. 

opened before 

see that the 

own ; but they 

irned with their 

ih. 

leclared George, 
moment. " I'm 
ind, besides, we 



THE RlVlhS. 



288 



didn't save th« little fallows. They'd add 
to the weight, of course ; but it didn't seem 
fair to keep 'em just for that. My plan is 
to throw 'om back and let 'cm grow up. ' 

Hank smiled, and, looking for a moment 
at the catch, said, " Pooty fair ! Pooty good ! 
Ye did real well, George, for a beginner." 

George smiled disdainfully, but the threat- 
ened rupture was averted by the necessity 
of both boatmen joining in the preparations 
for dinner. It was soon discovered that the 
intense heat had curdled the milk, which 
had been brought in glass jars, and that no 
coffee could be made, but all seemed to con- 
sider that a light matter when at last they 
were summoned by the boatmen. 

The dinner was not unlike that which 
Ethan had prepared at Goose b .y, and the 
appetites of the boys were so keen that 
they declared it was a repast fit for a king; 
and indeed it was. The successful sport of 
the morning provided an added zest, if such 
an addition was necessary, and as they ate 
their dinner, seated as they were in the 
grateful shade of the majestic maples, it 
seemed to them all that never had they 
enjoyed anything more. Before them was 
the great river, its waters still rushing for- 



1 
i 



m 



III 



rf 



284 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ward from the force of the fall at the 
Longut^ Seaut Rapids. In the distance on 
the island they could see barns and farm- 
houses, and over all was the peace of tlie 
perfect summer day. 

"I suppose this is historic ground, too," 
suggested Jock, as he helped himself to a 
fourth ear of corn. 

" 1 s'pose so," replied Hank. " 'Long in 
1812 they had considerable many fracases' 
here. Leastwise that's what my grand- 
father used to say to me." 

"Where was the biggest fight?" said 
Jock, quickly, suspecting that Bob was 
about to make inquiries of his own, and 
desiring to forestall him. 

" 'Twas back by Chrysler's Farm ; that's 
on the Canadian side of the river, across 
from Ogdensburgh. General Wilkinson had 
command o' our forces, but he wasn't much 
good. Indeed, from what my grandfather 
used to tell me I should think the Ameri- 
can officers spent more time fightin' among 
themselves than they did in fightin' the 
redcoats. Neither side could lay claim to 
vict'ry in the battle o' Chrysler's Farm, but 
our men acted so that they left everything 
open to the British hereabouts, an' you never 



p«!WfWi!W)>«P«5*Bsrflwwr- 



AWRENCE. 

he fall at the 
the distance on 
arns and farni- 
le peace of tlie 

LC ground, too," 
3d himself to a 

nk. " 'Long in 
3 many fracases* 
hat my grand- 

3t fight?" said 

that Bob was 

if his own, and 

r's Farm ; that's 
the river, across 
il Wilkinson had 
, he wasn't much 
my grandfather 
hink the Ameri- 
e fightin' among 
I in fightin' the 
uld lay claim to 
ysler's Farm, but 
y left everything 
uts, an' you never 



THE RIVALS. 



285 



saw a Englishman yet who was slow to 
use any chance that opened. An' they 
didn't hereabouts, I'm tellin' you. They 
were all riled up over our trip to Toronto, 
and paid off old scores. I believe the 
expedition, which was bound for Montreal, 
was given up by Wilkinson after the fight 
back here. He wasn't much good, though 
they whitewashed him in their investiga- 
tions afterward. But if we're gom' to do 
any more fishin' we'll have to be startm . 
I say, George," he added generously, "I 
don't s'pose you know the grounds as well 
as I do. If ye want to, you can come along 

with us." „ 

<'No I'm going somewhere else, re- 
sponded George, quietly, as he rose to 
assist Hank in clearing the table. 

When at last our boys resumed their 
places in the skiff, George whispered to 
them, "I'm after a muscallonge this time. 
We'll show Hank yet." 

His confidence increased the enthusiasm 
of Jock and Bob, and when, after going 
with the current for a mile or more, George 
rowed into a broad bay, they were more 
than ready for the attempt to secure the 
great fish of the St. Lawrence. 




r 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



liui 



V i 



A PRIZE. 

No great measure of success attended the 
efforts of the young fishermen in the place 
first selected by their boatman, and after 
an hour had passed and only two small 
pike had been secured, George rowed out 
into the current and went still farther down • 

the river. 

Whether it was the brightness of the rays 
of the sun, or the intense heat of the day 
that worked against them they could not 
determine, but the fish were wary, and only 
a few were added to the numbers already 

taken. 

George, however, was determined to con- 
tinue the sport, if the occupation might 
still be called by that name, and frequently 
expressed his determination to secure a 
muscallonge, and thereby gain an advan- 
tage over his rival. The enthusiasm of his 
companions visibly cooled, and by the midr 
die of the afternoon all hopes of securing 

280 



I ' 



is 



,^|Ui p.,WW ^Wt 



>ii]iia.Hj ii iLJ i' r 



A PRIZE. 



287 



II. 



IS attended the 
in in the place 
lan, and after 
inly two small 
rge rowed out 
11 farther down • 

less of the rays 
eat of the day 
they could not 
wary, and only 
umbers already 

;ermined to con- 
cupation might 
1, and frequently 
on to secure a 
gain an advan- 
nthusiasni of his 
and by the mid,- 
opes of securing 



one of the mammoth prizes was gone. 
They enjoyed the day none the less, and 
the frequent swift descents m the curren 

whenever George rowed out into it, the 
variety of the scenery by which they passed, 
and the goodly sized catch they had « 
secured, were all sufficient to make them 

reasonably content. , +i,. Ko«t 

« George," inquu-ed Jock, when the boat 

passed another island on which a farmhouse 

could be seen, « what do the people here do 

in winter?" ,., j 

"About the same as other folks, i 

'^Nofbut they must be cut off from 

shore when the river freezes." ^ 

"That's just the time when they re not 
cut off. They can get over to the main- 
land then just as easy's not.' 

«Is the ice strong enough to bear 

^^Teorge smiled as he replied, "They most 
always drive there. The ice will hold any- 
thing you can pile on it." 

As the boys gazed at the nishing waters 
the words of the boatman seened almost 
incredible. That those angry currents should 
ever freeze to such an extent that horses and 



' ' '■ \' 






288 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

loads could pass over them was almost among 
the impossible events, but before they could 
speak, George went on to say, — 

"Of course there are times when the folks 
are shut off from the shore. When there are 
thaws or freshets, or when the ice is form- 
ing, they have to stay on the islands. But 
that isn't for a very long time, and it isn't 
so hard as you might think. Everybody 
around here loves this river, and it's no 
hardship to have to stay near by. There 
was a man from New York up here last 
summer, and I used to take him fishing al- 
most every day. He was a fine man, too, 
and when he got ready to go back home he 
made me a good offer to go back with him, 
and said he'd give me a good place. But 
bless you ! I couldn't think of leaving the 
St. Lawrence. If I didn't see the heaving 
waters first thing in the morning I'd be as 
lonesome as a hen with one chicken. I've 
lived hereabouts all the twenty-six years of 
my life, and I'm too old now to learn new 

"What's that place ahead, George?" 
inquired Bob, pointing to a town on the 
Canadian side of the river sdme two or 
three miles in advance of them. 



ML..,; I. III . - 



WRENCE. 

almost among 
Dre they could 

vhen the folks 
IhQxi there are 
le ice is form- 
islands. But 
le, and it isn't 
:. Everybody 
r, and it's no 
a,r by. There 
up here last 
tiim fishing al- 
fine man, too, 
back home he 
)ack with him, 
)d place. But 
of leaving the 
ee the heaving 
rning I'd be as 
chicken. I've 
ity-six years of 
w to learn new 

ead, George?" 
a town on the 
r sdrae two or 
them. 



A PRIZE. 



289 



"Cornwall. It's quite a sizable town, 

too." 

" Don't you think we'd better go ashore ? " 
said Jock. "We must have a good ten- 
mile ride, and it'll be night before long." 

"Not just yet," pleaded the boatman. 
" We haven't got that rauscallonge." 

" And aren't likely to get it, I'm afraid," 
replied Jock. "Where are the teams to 
meet us, George?" 

" Right down here. We've time enough 
yet," persisted George, as he turned the 
skiff into another bay. " Try it here, boys. 
We may get a muscallonge before you 
know it, and then Hank McBride will have 

to keep still." 

The boys made no protest, though the 
sun was already low in the western sky. 
In a few minutes their desire to return was 
forgotten, for the fish were striking again, 
and several pike and pickerel were safely 

landed. 

"I think, George, we'd better go back 
now," said Jock, as the boatman turned to 
resume his course up the bay. " It's get- 
ting late." 

" Just one turn more," persisted George. 
« If you knew how Hank will talk after we 



290 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

get back, you'd be willing to keep on a little 
longer." 

"All right," agreed Jock, good-naturedly. 
" We'll take one more turn, but then we'll 
have to go ashore. I don't want to be out 
here any longer." 

George made no reply, and began to row 
with increased dehberation. Slowly the 
skiff was sent up the bay, but not a strike 
rewarded his efforts. Still more slowly he 
took a wider sweep as he reversed the 
course, never once speaking or taking his 
eyes from the long lines which trailed far 
behind in the water. Neither of the boys 
was expecting anything now, and when 
two-thirds of the remaining distance had 
been covered, Jock began to reel his line 
in, satisfied that the day's sport was 
ended. 

" One more ? " suggested George, plead- 

Jock shook his head and contmued his 
occupation. 

" You might as well take yours in, too," 
said George, sadly, to Bob. "I wish you 
weren't in such a hurry. I believe we 
might get a muscallonge yet." 

" We haven't been in a hurry," said Bob. 



WHENCE. 

eep on a little 

lod-naturedly. 
)ut then we'll 
^ant to be out 

began to row 

Slowly the 

it not a strike 

lore slowly he 

reversed the 
or taking his 
ch trailed far 
jr of the boys 
w, and when 

distance had 
» reel his line 
's sport was 

George, plead- 

continued his 

yours in, too," 
"I wish you 
I believe we 

rry," said Bob. 



A PBIZE. 



291 



"You've given us a great day, George; 
we'll never forget it, or you. Hold on a 
minute. Back water a bit; my hook has 
caught in some of the grass, I guess." 

George obeyed, but as he rested on his 
oars, suddenly Bob's line began to run out 
with a rush that almost yanked the rod 
from his hands. 

"Grass, is it?" exclaimed George, ex- 
citedly. " Hi ! Look at that, will you ? 
he exclaimed a moment later. 

About a hundred and fifty feet behmd 
them a monstrous fish leaped from the 
water, and in a graceful curve plunged into 
the bay again, but all could see that Bob s 
line was fast to him. 

Then began such a contest as neither ot 
the boys had ever witnessed before. With 
furious rushes the great fish darted first in 
one direction and then in another, and the 
reel on Bob's rod "sang" as the line was 
drawn from it. Bob was standing erect 
now, and, grasping the rod tightly in one 
hand, with the other attended to the reel. 
At times the strong rod would be drawn 
beneath the water, and Bob was compelled 
to exert all his strength merely to hold on, 
while the light boat was drawn swiftly over 






.jiiK»MM^WHKM^:~' 



292 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

the bay, and George was doing his best to 
assist the eager boy with his oars. 

" Look out ! Look out ! " the boatman 
called, quickly. " He's coming straight for 
us! Reel in! Reel in! Don't give him 
an inch of slack or you'll lose him ! Hadn't 
you better let me take the rod ? " 

" No," replied Bob, decidedly. " I'll get 
or lose him myself." 

The line was now loose in the water, and 
as Bob turned the reel in desperate haste, 
there was a great fear in his heart that the 
fish had torn himself away; but when at 
last he had secured all the slack, there was 
another savage pull and the line went dart- 
ing through the water once more. 

Five minutes, ten minutes passed, and 
still the exciting contest continued. Bob 
would draw the powerful fish farther in 
toward the boat, but every time the mus- 
callonge would dart away again, and some- 
times every yard of the line would be drawn 
from the whirling reel before he would pause 
in his flight. 

"Tucker him out! Tucker him out! 
It's the only way to get him," said George. 
" Don't you think you'd better let me take 
the pole now ? " 



A PRIZE. 



298 



WRENCE. 

ig his best to 
>ars. 

the boatman 
g straight for 
m't give him 
lira ! Hadn't 
I?" 
ly. « I'll get 

he water, and 
sperate haste, 
heart that the 
but when at 
ick, there was 
ine went dart- 
lore. 

3 passed, and 
itinued. Bob 
sh farther in 
time the mus- 
ain, and some- 
ould be drawn 
ae would pause 

ker him out! 
," said George. 
,er let me take 



But Bob was still determined, and the 
fierce contest was not relaxed. Hither and 
thither, now up and now down the bay ^e 
fish darted in his efforts to free himself, but 
Bob was still master. Jock was an mter- 
ested spectator, but was unable, seated as 
he was in the stern, to render any assist- 
ance to his friend, even if Bob had desired 

''\hen a quarter of an hour had passed, it 
became evident that the fish was becoming 
tired The lunges still continued, but not 
so much of the line was paid out now, and 
every time Bob reeled in he drew his victim 
nearer the boat. 

At last there came a time when he could 
reel steadily, and, to his intense deligh , he 
could feel the heavy fish following the line. 
Nearer and nearer came the muscallonge, 
and Jock, who was leaning over the ^dge 
and peering down into the depths of the 
clear water, suddenly exclaimed,-- 

« Oh Bob ! he's as big as the boat ! \ ou li 
never get him in here in the world! " 

Perhaps the great fish heard his words, 
or caught sight of his captors at that mo- 
ment. At all events, he suddenly turned 
and dashed away again with another burst 



294 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

of speed that made the reel sing merrily. 
He did not go far, however, and as the line 
slackened, George said in a loud whisper, 
" That's his last turn. Now look out, and 
if you don't give him any slack, you can 
bring him where I can reach him with my 
gaff. Careful, now ; careful ! " 

Apparently Bob needed no advice, for 
slowly and steadily, although his hands 
were trembling in his excitement, and his 
eyes almost seemed to stand out from his 
head as he peered eager iy down into the 
water to obtain his first glimpse of his 
prize, he drew the fish toward the boat. 

Either discouraged or worn out by his 
struggles, the muscallonge followed the 
lead now, and with every turn of the reel 
offered no resistance. Both Bob and Jock 
were hardly bieathing in their excitement, 
and they could feel, rather than see, that 
George had taken his gaff and was leaning 
over the edge ready for the last great effort. 
Suddenly George thrust the cruel hook 
into the water, the boat dipped dangerously, 
the boys were almost thrown from their 
seats, as with one lusty pull the monstrous 
fish was lifted into the air and then fell 
upon the bottom of the skiff. 



WHENCE. 

sing mprrily. 
tnd as the line 
loud whisper, 

look out, and 
ilack, you can 

him with my 

»> 

JO advice, for 
gh his hands 
sment, and his 

out from his 
down into the 
jlirapse of his 
rd the boat. 
)rn out by his 

followed the 
irn of the reel 

Bob and Jock 
eir excitement, 

than see, that 
nd was leaning 
ist great effort, 
bhe cruel hook 
3d dangerously, 
ivn from their 

the monstrous 
r and then fell 
iff. 



A PRIZE. 



•296 



For a moment even the excitement of the 
boys was forgotten \n the struggle which fol- 
lowed With great strokes of his powerfu 
rithe fish struck the sides of the boat 
until it seemed as if they must be broken 
into pieces. From side to side he threw 
himself, and to the eager lads It appeared 

as if he was everywhere at once. 

But George was ready for the emergency, 
for, watching his opportunity, he threw 
himself upon the struggling muscallonge, 
an" with a few hard blows of his hickory 
club, put an end to the contest, and then 
stretched their victim upon the bottom o 
the boat, as he was much too large to be 
plLd i^ the fish box. The contest was 
ended, and Bob had been victorious 

And what a contest it had been! The 

great, savage head, the beautifully mottled 
fides, the immense size of their prize, could 
be seen now to advantage, and for a mo- 
ment no one spoke. The feelings of the 
boys were too keen, however, for them 
long to remain silent, and in a moment 
they broke into a cheer which must 
have awakened the echoes along the 

shore 

a Well, I guess you aren't very sorry you 



m^M^tf 



tm* 



n\ 



296 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRBNCX. 

foUowed ray advice now," said George, who 
was the first to speak. ^ ♦ ^^ 

"Well, 1 rather guess we're not I re- 
sponded Bob, eagerly. ^^ 

"It's quitting time now, though, said 
George, glancing again at the sun, wWch 
was iust above the western horizon. " The 
teams will be up there at that farmhouse 
you can see yonder. We'll get some milk 
to drink there, too, and that'll help to stay 
your stomachs till you can get back to the 

hotel." , 

The boat was speedily sent ashore, and 

the delighted boys leaped quickly out upon 

the bank. 

" You can take the muscallonge, and i u 

bring the fish box," said George. 

Securing a stout limb of a tree he thrust 
it through the gills of the monstrous fish, 
and then, with one end resting on the shoul- 
der of each boy, and the muscallonge drag- 
ging almost to the ground between them, 
they started for the house, where George 
soon after arrived with the fish box, which 
of itself was no mean load. 

He dropped the box on the grass near 
which the boys had placed the muscallonge, 
and said, "I'll get some steelyards in the 



I WHENCE. 

id George, who 

« 
e're notl" re- 

though," said 
the sun, which 
hiorizon. " The 
that farmhouse 

get some milk 
tt'll help to stay 
get back to the 

ent ashore, and 
[uickly out upon 

lallonge, and I'll 
jorge. 

a tree he thrust 
i monstrous fish, 
;ing on the shoul- 
nuscallonge drag- 
d between them, 
le, where George 
le fish box, which 

n the grass near 

I the muscallonge, 

steelyards in the 



A PRIZE. 



297 



ho,i.*>, boys, and we'll see how much the 

fell' w weighs." 

i„ a moment he returned, but before he 
proceeded to weigh the fish, he opened its 
huge jaws and began to thrust mto them 
some of the smaller pickerel and pike they 
had caught. Not satisfied with his efforts, 
he was about to add some good-si/ed stones, 
when Jock, who had been watching the 
actions of the boatman as if he did not 
understand what he was doing, suddenly 

exclaimed, — „„ 

" Here, George, what are you domg I ^^ 
» Getting this fish ready to be weighed, 

replied George, without pausing in his occu- 

^^"Tell, then, weigh the muscallonge. We 
don't want to weigh all of St. Lawrence 
county. The muscallonge will do. 

George stopped abruptly, and gazed for a 
xnomen? at the boys as if he had not cor- 
rectly heard them. Their determined man- 
ner was not to be changed, however, and as 
he rose from the ground, he said, -- 

"Well, I must say you beat all the men 
T ever saw. Why, that's the way every- 
body does down here when they weigh a 
fish." 



mm ii*ii»n"niiinnT-~**^" 



298 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" It isn't the way we do. We want to 
know exactly what this fish weighs," said 

Bob. , „ 

Evidently chagrined and disgusted, George 

nevertheless weighed the great fish, and 

glancing at the steelyards, said, "Humph! 

He only weighs thirty-eight pounds ! 

"Thirty-eight pounds!" exclaimed Jock, 

in his delight. 

But even the present elation was forgotten 
when Hank McBride and the other two boys 
were seen approaching with their catch, and 
in a moment Jock turned to greet them with 
a shout of triumph. 




tte 



m 
i'i' 



A WRENCE. 



We want to 
a weighs," said 

isgusted, George 
great fish, and 
said, " Humph 1 
pounds ! " 
exclaimed Jock, 

on was forgotten 

e other two boys 

their catch, and 

I greet them with 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

WHAT BECAME OF THE PRIZE. 

uYouactasifyouhadcaughtsomething 

you want us to see," ^^^\^Xl^%Z 
before his companions. Lets y 

'" The muscallonge had not been pW 

r^tt^^^-arirs^t 

„o«cameuptoviewthev^t«ns^ ,,^^ 
" That's pooty good, remarKea 

u *„.„ " You've done very well for Be 
boatman. Jon ^^^^ ^^^ 

^T. o„t be lol afore he'll do 'most a. 
retirre^ofi^/eriencerheaddedcon,. 

''tZ -*e no response except to winU 

299 



800 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



til! 



.iiii 



soberly at Bob, and then turned with the 
boys to examine the catch which Hank's 
party had made. 

They certainly had been very successful, 
and as the fish were taken from the box and 
placed in a row upon the grass, both Jock 
and Bob were loud in their words of praise. 
Several large pike served to increase the 
effect, and when at last all the fish had 
been seen, it was perceived that in numbers 
and weight Hank's party had exceeded that 
of the other. 

" Come into the house, boys, and get some 
milk," called George. " You must be hun- 
gry by this time." 

Before entering, the boys all went to the 
barrel, which stood beneath a corner of the 
eaves, and dipping from the rain-water stored 
there, washed their faces in the tin basin. 
Refreshed by the act, they then all followed 
the boatman, and seated themselves before 
the table, on which the housewife had placed 
a large pitcher of milk and several earthen 

cups. 

The milk speedily disappeared, and the 
pitcher was again filled before the boys rose 
from their seats. 

"How much shall we pay you for the 



AWRENCE. 

irned with the 
which Hank's 

very successful, 
om the box and 
;rass, both Jock 
words of praise, 
to increase the 
11 the fish had 
that in numbers 
,d exceeded that 

ys, and get some 
)u must be hun- 

i all went to the 
L a corner of the 
rain-water stored 
n the tin basin, 
ihen all followed 
lemselves before 
ewife had placed 
i several earthen 

)peared, and the 
ore the boys rose 

pay you for the 



WHAT BECAME OF THE PB'ZR ^^ 

„i,k'" inquired Jock, as he turned to go 

-tr;S"?S^athe«on,a„h«^ 
tatingly. "I don' knov, jest what .t .» 

"Tjl^s been worth a good deal te us," 

•/iLk feeling in his pocket for a com 

:t';l "we want to pay you what- 

repeated the woman. "Do ye thmk five 
cents would be too much ! 

"Hardly," laughed Jock, as he handed 
the hostess a quarter. „ 

"I don't think I've got any change, 
said the woman, reluctantly. 

"Change? There isn't any change. 

"Doyemeantosayye'regomtogive 

„e all this money for that inilk 

"Why, yes. It was good milk, and we 

haven't been modest m using xt 

"It's too much to charge! she ..id 

nt:^:f.in:Ji:rrn"iest,Jock 
aJr:preitHemat^,a^dfinaUy-; 

^T'ThLtTha'ird rejoin his 
r^niltwlotow were waiting for him 



f 



302 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

in the yard, and perceiving that the mus- 
callonge had not yet been showix them, he 

said, eagerly, — 

"Come over here, fellows; I want to 
show you something. You come, too, 
Hank," he added; and in a moment he 
led the way to the place where the mon- 
strous fish had been covered with grass. 

As he removed the covering and the 
great head of the muscallonge was seen, 
Ben exclaimed in astonishment, "What. 

What's that?" 

"That," replied Jock, gently, "is our 
prize fish, or rather it's Bob's, for he caught 
it out here in this bay." 

" Is it a muscallonge ? " inquured Bert. 

" That's what George calls it, I believe. 
I'm not very familiar with the names of 
the fish hereabouts, but that'll do as well as 

any other, I fancy." , :, , . 

For a moment the boys all crowded about 
the place, eagerly examining the prize and 
making many comments in their enthusi- 
asm. Hank, however, had not spoken, and 
after his first glimpse of the great fish, 
turned away his head and pretended to be 
gazing out over the near-by St. Lawrence. 
George, too, affected an air of indifference, 



AWRENCE. 

that the. mus- 
jhowix them, he 

(Ts ; I want to 
ou come, too, 
a moment he 
vhere the mon- 
l with grass, 
vering and the 
longe was seen, 
hment, "What! 

gently, "is our 
)'s, for he caught 



inquired Bert, 
alls it, 1 believe, 
th the names of 
at'll do as well as 

all crowded about 
ng the prize, and 
in their enthusi- 
d not spoken, and 
>f the great fish 
1 pretended to be 
-by St. Lawrence, 
lir of indifference. 




^ ' 



WHAT BECAME OF THE PEIZE. 303 

" < W toes," responded the boatman, 

'"^Xi vo« ever catch a bigger one?" 
persStlCevidently enjoying tbe jealous 

,age of the elder boatman^ j,„d when I 

.Ho! Lots f.^"'^-v he added 
catch 'em, I catch em, too. 

rS what we do, -r «ad Boh. 
. When we catch Vm we -Uh-^^^ 
« Ye never caught that ere nsu, 

then?" demanded Joc^;^^^^^^^^^ re- 

.' Oh, fish 18 cheap over in v.oni ^ 
plied Hank, with a pecu^ia-mik. Jhe^^ 
I see ye headed that way, I knew ye w 
goin' for nothinV' ^^^^ 

"Do you mean tc say w« » 
fish?" demanded Jock, aghast. 

urxn not makin no insinuations,^^ said 
Wank " But 1 knows what I know. 
^The boatman's suggestion seemed to 



804 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



If! 
'iji' 



afford intense delight to Ben and Bert, 
and though they joined at once in the 
banter, it was evident they did not share 
in the suspicions of Hank McBride. 

" Did you ever hear about the fox who 
wouldn't be hired to eat the sour grapes ? " 
said George, turning to the boys, and striv- 
ing to ignore the presence of his rival. 

" I believe I have heard that story some- 
where," replied Jock. " Did you ever hear 
it, Hank ? " he added, turning to the envi- 
ous boatman. 

*' I knows what I know," retorted Hank, 
adopting a line of argument which is not 
confined to the region of the St. Lawrence. 

" You'd better be starting, boys," inter- 
rupted George. " You've got a long drive 
before you, and you'll be too late to get 
any supper at the hotel if you stay around 
here any longer, wasting your time and 
words too." 

The suggestion was at once acted upon. 
The fish were stored in the carriage which 
was to convey the boys back to the hotel, 
and after they had assisted the boatmen in 
lifting their skiffs from the water and 
placing them upon the frame wagons which 
had been sent down to carry the boats to 



^PENCE. 

a and Bert, 

once in the 

id not share 

ride. 

the fox who 

mr grapes ? " 

ys, and striv- 

is rival. 

t story some- 

ou ever hear 

to the envi- 

torted Hank, 
which is not 
;. Lawrence, 
boys," inter- 
a long drive 
> late to get 
stay around 
ir time and 

acted upon, 
rriage which 
;o the hotel, 
boatmen in 
water and 
ragons which 
the boats to 



WHAT BEOAMi: OT THJi P«K»- '"^ 

.v.« nlace from which they had started in 
tet;;lni„g,theyalio.amhered.nto 

their seats and were ready to depart. 

Hold on a minute," called George, aB 
he Tan quickly toward them. "Whos 
gig to drive' yon back to the Landmg 

"-rX'tTr' We-U find some one," 

""^l^on't mind I'd like to do it my- 
self I've got a good team and a pretty 
to wagon and I won't charge you any 
more than you'd pay any one e se. Ill 
ZZ over for you about eight o'clock, J 

'""^(riSt. George," said Jock. "We'll 

be gtd to have you. We'll call .t set«^ 
then, and you are to come for us to-morrow 

morning at eight." 

<' That's the way to do it, said Ben. 
« Don't you let these fellows have any 
ch^'e I explain how they got th^ m- 
callonge when you aren't near to put m a 

"""George made no reply, and the boys at 

"TC^t- be a pitched battle between 
those men before they get home, said Bert. 



806 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" Oh, no, the' won't," said the driver ; 
"it's just the way with them. They're 
as jealous of one another as all possessed, 
but they're good friends, too. But I guess 
Hank MeBride won't put on quite so many 
airs as he's been doin' of late. He's a no- 
tion he's the only fellow that can take out 
a party hereabouts." 

About an hour and a half later the boys 
drove up in front of their hotel, and, leav- 
ing their driver to look after their fish, ran 
up to their rooms, and speedily prepared for 
the dinner which was ready for them. 

When they at last came out of the din- 
ing room and appeared on the piazza, they 
beheld a small crowd assembled about a 
spot on the lawn. When they joined the 
group, they discovered that their fish were 
the objects which had drawn the spectators. 
Many were the exclamations of astonish- 
ment at the number and size of the victims, 
and when at last the people departed, the 
boys were left to themselves. 

What to do with their catch then became 
the question. They had talked of packing 
the muscallonge in ice and forwarding it to 
their parents in New York, but the intense 
heat and the thought of possible deljiys had 



A WHENCE. 

id the driver; 
lem. They're 
1 all possessed, 
'. But I guess 
quite so many 
'^e. He's a no- 
b can take out 

later the boys 
Dtel, and, leav- 
their fish, ran 
y prepared for 
or them, 
•ut of the din- 
le piazza, they 
ibled about a 
ley joined the 
heir fish were 
the spectators. 
i of astonish- 
3f the victims, 
departed, the 

I then became 
3d of packing 
'warding it to 
it the intense 
•lo delays had 



WHAT BECAME OF TUE PBlZE. 



307 



seemed to make that impracticable. They 

" TTtte t^-s »rprise he recognted him 
* .1 of his father's, and, after mtro- 

5. Xi^e that the hnge muscallonge 
rt be twen l him if the boy, had no 

:rp^Tdi,^-it^r:;tr:: 

'"^-li^ofTr^Thrid^ ample for 
a^tri—te want, of the hot^l, they 

«adily ""^^"'^'^ ^eeks afterward when 

"rTthaHhl man to whom they 

they l"*™"* *^ r;X« had arst had a 

^ ^"^Tt hto Jf and his two boys 
photograph oi """T" ^^j^ hands, and 

taken with fl*'?^™*'^,t«ground, and 
the monstrous fish m *e f^ g ^^.^^^ ^ 

had then ^"PP^.**^* * ;„ „hich his 

W irsenUhe boys, in which they read 
afongTccountof the struggle this man and 
hrws had in eatohing the muscallonge. 



f 



308 CAMPING Oy THE ST. LAlVltESCK. 

and how, at last, success had crowned their 
efforts, and in their generosity they had 
sent their prize, " which weighed some sixty 
pounds," to the editor himself. Great are 
the ways of fishermen, and marvellous the 
increase in weight which some fish attain 
after they have been drawn from their nar 
tive waters! All that, however, is an out- 
side matter, and as our boys did not learn of 
the various uses to which their prize was 
assigned until weeks had passed, it has no 
legitimate part in the records of this story. 

Promptly at the appointed hour on the 
following morning George appeared before 
the hotel, and the boys took their seats m 
his wagon to be carried back to the Landing. 
It was evident that George was in no wise 
downcast over the envious charges of his 
rival boatman on the preceding day, and as 
they rode on he explained to them many of 
the points of interest in the region. 

As there was an abundance of time before 
the departure of their boat for Ogdensburgh, 
they were all eager to examine the places 
he described, and as he had dwelt particu- 
larly upon the attraction? of a neighboring 
cemetery, — *' graveyard," George called it, 
— they consented to stop and visit it. 



WHAT BECAME OF THE Pm'^K 



309 



I WHENCE. 

crowned their 
sity they had 
tied some sixty 
If. Great are 
narvellous the 
ne fish attain 
from their na- 
ver, is an out- 
id not learn of 
leir prize was 
ised, it has no 
J of this story. 
1 hour on the 
speared before 
their seats ui 

the Landing, 
ivas in no wise 
charges of his 
iig day, and as 
them many of 
egion. 

of time before 
Ogdensburgh, 
ine the places 
dwelt particu- 
a neighboring 
3orge called it, 

1 visit it. 



It was a quaint little ,pot and .ts humb e 
headxtones indicated that the gr^'t/^f 
which hangs low over all mankind was 
:« wanting even in the ''-"hful reg,on 
"f the great river. But »hat had been of 
peculia? interest to George was the m^r,I. 
Ln on some of the headstones, and as he 
pointed out one after another, h.. eompan- 
ions were soon as interested as he. 

"'nold on, fellows," said Bob, takmg ou 
a note-book and pencil as he spoke; 
must have this one." 

The boys waited while Bob made an ex- 
act copy of the epitaph, and this is what he 

found : — 

« Jimmie Dooley is my name, Ireland 
Is my nation, Brasher '.my dwelling 

place and heaven my expectation. 
When I am dead and in my grave 
Mid all my bones is rotten, this stone 
will tell my name when I am 
quite forgotten." 

« Got it all, Bob?" inquired Ben, soberly. 

" Yes." 

« Verbatim ? " 

"Yes." 

« Literatim ? " 

"Yea." 



-w— 



HI- 



II 



310 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

'•Punctuatim?" 
'' Yes." 
"Spellatim?" 

"I think so," laughed Bob. "Why? 
What makes you so particular ? " 

"I can't stand it any longer. It's too 
pathetic for me." 

'•I suppose the folks here feel just the same 
as they do in the city," said George, curtly. 
" I didn't bring you here to have you poke 
fun." 

" I'm not poking fun," said Ben, soberly ; 
" but the exquisite pathos of that poem is 
too much for my tender feelings. Poor 
Jiramie! I don't wonder he's dead. Do 
you know the poet, the author of those 
touching, plaintive lines ? " 

As the boys broke into a laugh, George 
turned abruptly away and took his seat in 
the carriage, an example his companions 
speedily followed. 

When they arrived at the Landing they 
discovered that there were yet two hours 
before the little steamer would depart, and 
in response to George's suggestion, for his 
good nature seemed to be restored now, they 
accepted his invitation and went. with him 
to view some " sturgeon pounds." 



VBENCE. 



WHAT BECAME OF THE PRIZE. 



811 



.b. "Why? 

?" 

;er. It's too 

just the same 
Borge, curtly, 
ave you poke 

Ben, soberly ; 
that poem is 
ilings. Poor 
's dead. Do 
hor of those 

laugh, George 
jk his seat in 
J companions 

Landing they 
'et two hours 
d depart, and 
Bstion, for his 
)red now, they 
i^entwith him 
ds." 



These pounds were pens in the water, 
near the Ire, in which the boys discov- 

::d some fish which even put^the. g^e 
muscallonge to shame. These fish were 
Tughl, th'ey learned, from a slender p.r c.^ 
framework built out into the rapids. There 
men equipped with long poles, each of which 
ha?a hook on the end much Uke the gaft 
George had used on the precedmg day, took 
te stand, and as the mighty sturgeon 
twly forced their way up the stream and 

agai/st the current, they were seen by the 
waiting fishermen, and "hooked. They 
Xt then thrown alive into the pens and 
kept with others, until a sufficient numbe 
had been obtained, when they were all 
shipped to Montreal. 

Interested as the boys were m the «ight, 
they did not long remain there, and soon 
Itr their return to the Landing went on 
botrd the steamer, and were ready to de 
nart Bidding George good-by, and thank 
•nf hirn once more for all the assistance 
S » he had given them they were 
elfwhen the boat left the dock, U> re- 
tuflio the camp on Pine Tree Island, fo 
Xch they had now come to cherish almost 
a feeling of home. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Ik 



lit! 



EARLY DISCOVERERS. 

The progress of the little steamer was 
necessarily much slower now than when the 
boys had come down the river, moving as 
she was against the strong current. There 
was, however, too much of inspiration in the 
experience to make the yorng campers feel 
impatient, and as there wi^re but few pas- 
sengers besides themselves on board, they 
took their chairs to a sheltered spot on the 
upper deck, and the sounds of their merry 
laughter and shouts soon resounded over 
the river. They cheered the passing boats, 
and gave their school cry whenever they 
approached a camp. 

After a time even these measures became 
tame and failed to satisfy the boys, and 
Bob, quick to seize his opportunity, said, 
"I'll now resume my lectures, with your 
kind permission." 

« I don't think our permission will have 

812 



^^ , i 



v.. 



EABLT DISCOVERERS. 



313 



:rs. 

e steamer was 
than when the 
ver, moving as 
urrent. There 
spiration in the 
ig campers feel 
•e but few pas- 
on board, they 
•ed spot on the 
of their merry 
resounded over 
B passing boats, 
whenever they 

leasures became 

the boys, and 

portunity, said, 

ires, with your 

ission will have 



„,uch to do with it," said Ben. "You'll go 

on lust the same." 

Bob scowled, but as he knew the boys 
really were interested, and wanted to learn 
something more about the early discoverers, 

^^^When Cartier returned to France after 
his second voyage, the hardships and losses 
he had to report were not, of course, very 
encouraging to the Frenchmen, who wanted 
him to find a comitry where the streets o 
the cities were all paved with gold. But 
Francis de La Boque, the Lord of Roberval 
in Picardy, had himself appointed viceroy 
and lieutenant-general of the new territory, 
Cartier still being called captam-general atod 
chief pilot of the king's ships. 

« Five vessels were then fitted out, and 
in May, 1541, Cartier started with two of 
them and was soon afterward jomed by the 
others Then all five started axjross the 
ocean blue, and three months later landed 
at Sainte Croix. He began to cruise about 
and finally sent two of his ships back to 
France, though he kept the other three at 
the mouth of the Red River. 

"Caxtier then went up to Hochelaga, 
hoping to be able to come farther up the 



I — ^ 






f 



III 



i 



I'l 



314 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

river, but the winter was a terrible one, 
and his men were so discouraged that in the 
spring, his provisions being exhausted, and 
the Indians beginning to cut up, he sailed 
away for France. On the way over he met 
Roberval, who ordered him to go back 
again; but Cartier did not see it in that 
light, so he kept on, and finally got back to 
France, where he lived and died in peace." 

" Oh, more ! more ! " said Ben, mockingly. 

Bob laughed as he replied, " There was 
no more, so far as Cartier was concerned. 
It was three times and out with him." 

"Then he never came as far up the 
St. Lawrence as we are now ? " asked Bert. 

"No. Cartier never did. Of course 
others came, and I'll tell you about them." 

" It's a wonderful river," murmured Jock. 
" And just think of it, fellows. We're sail- 
ing over the very same river those old chaps 
did. Just the same, after three hundred 
years have gone." 

" No, it isn't the same," replied Ben. 

" Why not, I'd like to know ? " demanded 
Jock. 

" Oh, the water keeps running away all 
the time. They call it the same river, but 
it's never the same for any two minutes. 



1 



[WRENCE. 

terrible one, 
jed that in the 
ixhausted, and 
; up, he sailed 
i,y over he met 
I to go back 
see it in that 
lly got back to 
led in peace." 
en, mockingly. 
\, ''There was 
(ras concerned, 
ith him." 
bs far up the 
*" asked Bert. 
I. Of course 

about them." 
lurmured Jock. 
s. We're sail- 
ihose old chaps 
three hundred 

iplied Ben. 
nr ? " demanded 

ining away all 
lame river, but 
' two minutes. 



EARLY DISCOVERERS. 



315 



The banks are the same, but the river itself . 

is constantly changing." 

"You're getting it down too fine tor 
^e'' said Jock. "And that's Canada 

Zr there," he added, pointing to the d is- 
over tner., a i wonder where 

tant shore as he spoice. ^ r^h ?" 

they got that name. Do you know. Bob ? 
^There are two theories," replied Bob 
auickly" One is based on the story tha 

quiCKiy. Ct^aniard was the first 

Stefano Gomez, a Spamara, w 
white man to enter the Gulf of St Law 
rence, and that he came m 1525. He died 
over here somewhere, I beheve, «o the ^^ 
I't hP denied. There is an old Spanish 
tad tbn hS he came into the gulf and 
traaition ^^^ g^i^, 

landed, and when ^^/^ , ^i^h he 

or mines, or any of the things « «^^^ , 
was looking, he exclaimed, Aca-nada,^ 
which means, I'm told, ' Here ^! "^'^^fi. 
And Canada is said t. be denved from that 

"What's the other theory? Jou saia 
there were two. Bob," said Jock. 
Tol the other is that Canada is another 

form o the Indian word, ^a-na-ta' ^^^^ 
means a village. I've given you both, ana 

^^"Brht^Tthe^^andthe river get 
their names, Professor? "asked Ben. 



*^, 







iii 



li! 



316 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" Cartier gave it to them in honor of the 
saint who was supposed to be the patron of 
the day when he made his discovery — the 
10th of August, you know. I think the 
saint deserved to have his name given, too, 
for it is said he was broiled on a gridiron in 
253." 

" Good time," remarked Ben, dryly. "Two 
forty is better, though." 

"Bob," demanded Bert, "how do you 
know all this stuff. I don't see how one 
small head can contain all you know." 

"That isn't original, my friend," re- 
marked Bob. " You have the idea but not 
the language of our last text-book in Eng- 
lish Lit. How do I know so much ? Oh, 
it comes natural to some people. I know 
a heap more than I have told you, though. 
If you want me to, I'll give you some of it 
now. We haven't got to Ogdensburgh yet." 
"Oh, do! do! Lend the charm of your 
voice to these interesting details you have 
picked out of some almanac," said Ben. 

" I'll lend you my voice if you'll lend me 
your ears ! " rejoined Bob. 

"Never!" shouted Ben. clasping those 
members as he spoke. 

"Well, turn the whole length of them 






WRENCE. 

[ honor of the 
the patron of 
iscovery — the 
I think the 
me given, too, 
a a gridiron in 

1, dryly. "Two 

"how do you 
t see how one 
)u know." 
y friend," re- 
de idea but not 
:t-book id Eng- 
10 much? Oh, 
jople. I know 
Id you, though, 
you some of it 
lensburgh yet." 
charm of your 
stails you have 
" said Ben. 
I you'll lend me 

clasping those 

length of them 



EARLY DISCOVERERS. 



817 



^UMldoiustaswell. They re 
toward me and it 11 do ]U8i ^^ 

inore becoming to you than they 

^° ""®" ' «,;+>, vour yarn," interrupted 

u Oh, go on with your yar ^^ 

!>..♦ « We'll listen to you till we g 
Bert. » « " , , .f Q„ ^are refer 

..Youare,"saidBen^^^ ^^^^^j 

a half-decent appearance. 

« Nonsense I " pro^B^^^^^^^^ 
been crammmg up, and are ]us P 
your knowledge befo. 

^^^^ ^"v'tut front of the looking-glass 
spreads his tail m front ^ou 

and struts around like all po 

r\'t^it^^ ^'" -* ^'" ^" 

naturedly. 



IT" 



318 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" Quit your fooling and go on with your 
story, Bob," said Jock. "We'll be at 
Ogdensburgh pretty soon, and then you're 
under bonds not to refer to another dis- 
jcoverer there. And I want to know about 
these things." 

" All right," said Bob. " Well, the French 
kept sending somebody over here almost 
every year after Cartier stopped coming, but 
nothing of any consequence was done before 
1608. Then a Calvinist named DeMonts 
obtained freedom for himself and his reli- 
gious sympathizers in the New World, only 
the Catholic religion was to be established 
among the natives, and finally Champlain 
and Pontgrave were sent over here m that 
year to begin a settlement and look after 
the trade in furs. They were both sterling 
men and had had plenty of experience, and 
no better ones could have been found. 

" Champlain reached Tadousac on the 3d 
of June, and after a month was at Quebec, 
where Cartier had spent the winter almost 
three-quarters of a century before. He saw 
what a fine site there was there for a city, 
and at once selected the spot as the place 
for a settlement. 

" The next spring, in April, Samuel Cham- 



VRENCE. 

on with your 

We'll be at 

then you're 

another dis- 

5 know about 

11, the French 

here almost 
i coining, but 
,s done before 
led DeMonts 

and his reli- 
' World, only 
)e established 
ly Champlain 

here m that 
id look after 

both sterling 



EARLY DISCOVERERS. 



819 



:perience, 



and 



1 found, 
sac on the 3d 
as at Quebec, 
winter almost 
fore. He saw 
ire for a city, 
> as the place 

Samuel Cham- 



riain along with two of the Frenchmen, 
£:;<. up the great river. They got along 
fairly well, and at last turned to the south 
lt,d went down and discovered the lake 
^Tich now bear, his name, and then went 

Tn into the other lake, which, as you know, 

■' !: Yes,*?v?htLd of that lake," murmured 

^™Five years afterward," contimied Bob, 
ignoring the interruption, " Champlam su,> 
Idedl having four B«collets appomted 
to begin a mission work among the Indians. 
To gSthe favor of the red men, Champlam 
himself , and a priest named Joseph Le Cavon, 
;Tnt with them to help whip the Iroquois; 
but the Iroquois weren't ma mood to be 

whipped that time, and drove ou the r 
enemies and wounded Champlam, just as ,f 
he hadn't come on his merciful errand_ 

"Hold on. Bob," said Jock. " ^ou drfn 
tell us whether Champlam found Lake 

George all named when he got there, 
•u U. as named." replied R,b" though 

it wasn't named George. The md-s c^^* 
itHoricon,and the Frenchmen named it I^ke 
St. Sacrament. Sir William Johnson after- 
ward for good andsufficientreasons, changed 



mf 



4*1' 



320 CAM PINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

it to Lake George. But to resume. When 
Champlain was wounded he had to spend 
the winter with the Indians ; but he made 
good use of his time and learned a lot about 
them — their language, customs, and all that 
sort of thing. 

"It was in 1625 when Henri de Levi, 
Duke de Ventadour — he had purchased 
the vice-royalty of New France, you see, 
before this time, for they didn't mind such 
little things as selling a kingdom or two, 
with a world and a few stars thrown in — 
sent over here Father Lallemant and four 
other Jesuit priests and laymen. Father 
Lallemant was a good luan and very ear- 
nest, and the Recollets, of course, received 
him and his companions very kindly, 

" In the following year three other Jesuit 
priests were also sent over here, along with 
some settlers and mechanics, and they soon 
made the little settlement begin to look 
something like a town. In 1629 the Eng- 
lish happened to come along, and quietly 
took the place as their own ; but there was 
a treaty made, and they had to stand by it, 
so the French owned the town agahi in 1632 ; 
and the very next year Champlain was 
appointed once more as governor of New 



o 



VRENCE. 

ume. When 
lad to spend 
but he made 
d a lot ahout 
), and all that 

inri de Levi, 
d purchased 
ice, you see, 
't mind such 
dom or two, 
thrown in — 
mt and four 
len. Father 
nd very ear- 
irse, received 
:indly. 

other Jesuit 
i, along with 
id they soon 
igin to look 
29 the Eng- 

and quietly 
ut there was 
I stand by it, 
jahi in 1632 ; 
implain was 
nor of New 



EARLY DISCOVKREHS. 



321 



France. He'd been governor before you 

? and this was only putting him back 

:rt:, "so place. ButhedidntUvevery 

"ng, L, if I recollect aright, he died m 

December, 1635." . , „„„ „nherlv. 

"What tor?" inquired Ben, sober y. 

"Were the gubernatorial l>on»- ^;, Ij-^^^^ 
for h« shoulders? Perhaps he didn t like 
t political methods ot the Indians. I 
wish you'd explain It, Bob. 

..From that time, tor a good while the 
Jesuit missionaries kept commg over here 
;r«.e work they did was something mar- 
TeUous. They went up the "ver an* k^^* 
„„ „„t along the lakes, and even down other 
river" Th!y dressed a. the Indians did, 
Id ate aiAved with them, just to lean, 
ttoir ways and convince the red men that 
fteyXltheirfriends. They were tortured 
Smes,horribly,but they never tehed 
They iust kept right on, an y^ 

believe it wasnt very loug 

! v.»^ a irrin on the Indians which 
C^tv^i^smr Every tribe of their. 

;: fs ofNew York tad its own special jn- 
Inary, and almost every nation out along 
r aLs and down the Mississippi had one 
too ; and they made themselves of so much 



M 



322 CAMI'ING ON THE ST. LAWHKNCK. 

use, going with the men even into battle, 
that they're! not forgotten yet. 

*' Well, of course, where the missionaries 
Went, there business went too ; and it wasn't 
long l)t>i"ore fur-trading posts were estab- 
lished wherever the Jesuits were. Then, 
to protect the fur traders, and to keep the 
English from getting any of the business, 
soldiers had to be sent along ; and so, as 
Quebec was the head centre of the whole 
affair, it wasn't long before there was a 
regular business all along the St. Lawrence, 
long before any real settlements were made 
on its borders, or at least along the lakes." 

" 1 say, Bob," interrupted Ben, *' did you 
ever read any of Oliver Wendell Holmes's 
books ? " 

" Yes, I've read the ' Autocrat.' " 

*' Do you remember about that chap who 
could talk a lot on some subjects, and didn't 
know anything about others ? " 

" You mean the one who'd read a volume 
or two in the cyclopaedia, and not much 
besides ? " 

" Pre-e-cisely ! Now I've foupd you out. 
You've been reading a volume of the cyclo- 
peedia, and are giving us its contents." 

" Which volume ? " asked Bob. 



!ii;i iumt. i ijaWWi- i »«^-W<»>WiJ,W4-..,^gWfe»^.i..:!.i.-a 



* 



HENCIC. 

into battle, 

missionaries 
nd it wasn't 
were estab- 
ere. Then, 

to keep the 
he business, 

and so, as 
f the whole 
;here was a 
t. Lawrence, 
9 were made 
r the lakes." 
in, *' did you 
ell Holmes's 

,t."' 

at chap who 

,a, and didn't 

sad a volume 
d not much 



KARLY D/.srorEHKKS. 



828 



ChampUin, Canada, <'^;2.»r 1 'aSd, 
tcreal - d.H.'t yo« »'^«' ™'""' ' , ., We've 

found him out . n« ^^ 

r'a Now, to prove it, let s asK 
^:e,Uor;notLrs«bioct,. What^^as e 

diers came in here f 

"^Hello^ That'. Ogden8b«rgh ahead 
,Jr°e..>aU„ed Bob sudaeny; a,d 

- he »poUe >•; -j;':^!!!: a better 
proaching. 



[^Jld you out. 
of the cyclo- 
itents." 
lb. 



'■'■-'^'ligpr 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



THE SQUALL. 



itfii 






The little steamer soon afterward arrived 
at its dock, and the transfer to the large 
boat was speedily made. Then, in the 
eagerness to be first in the dining room and 
to satisfy the cravings of their appetites, 
which were already keen, Bob's lectures and 
the early discoverers were all forgotten. 

Nor did Bob seem to grieve at the appar- 
ent disregard, though whether it was his 
hunger, or his unwillingness to hear the 
suggestion Ben had made as to the source 
of his information, which was the cause of 
it, he did not feel called upon to explain. 

At all events, when the boys returned to 
the deck they were at peace among them- 
selver and with all the world ; and as Bob 
was careful not even to hint at the men 
who had sailed up the river centuries before 
this time, no occasion arose in which the 
explanation of Ben could be taken up again. 

824 



; f\,:. 



THE SQUALL. 



826 



71. 



erward arrived 
r to the large 

Then, in the 
ning room and 
heir appetites, 
)'s lectures and 

forgotten, 
e at the appar- 
ler it was his 
s to hear the 
i to the source 
is the cause of 
a to explain. 
)ys returned to 
! among them- 
i ; and as Bob 
Qt at the men 
enturies before 
! in which the 
;aken up again. 



Apparently, in spite of the fact that the 
large steamer was moving against the cui^ 
rent, there was no less speed displayed than 
on the voyage down the stream, for greater 
efforts were put forth. Bert solemnly c^llod 
the attention of his companions to the tact, 
and with no less solemnity urged them to 
profit by the lesson that greater obstacles 
only called forth the greater powers of boats 

and men. , , 

Doubtless his moral lesson was not auiy 
appreciated, for the lads were in no mood 
for sermons. The constantly changmg scene 
about them, the sweep of the great waters, 
and the saluting of passing vessels occupied 
the most of their time and held their undi- 
vided attention. 

It was late in the afternoon when at last 
thev perceived Alexandria Bay m the dis- 
tance, and knew that they had almost ar- 
rived at the end of their voyage. 

« It looks as if we might have a storm, 
fellows," said Jock, pointing as he spoke to 
some heavy black clouds that could be seen 
in the distance. , , ^ 

« If it'll hold off till we get back to camp 
we shan't care," replied Bert, Ughtly. 
They were aU so eager to land now that 




£%'■ 



'I'll 



826 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

they had no disposition to stop and conside* 
even the threatenings of the storm-clouds. 

" Hello ! There's Ethan ! " exclaimed Jock, 
as he obtained a glimpse of their boatman 
on the dock. " Perhaps he has his cat-boat 
with him. I'm sure I hope he has, for I 
don't want to row back to camp, especially 
if it's going to rain." 

As soon as they landed, Ethan greeted 
them, and without waiting to listen to the 
story of their experiences in the Longue 
Seaut, he said quickly, "Git aboard my 
boat, every one o' ye. It's goin' to rain, 
an' I want to land ye afore it begins. Git 
yer skiff an' I'll take it in tow, an' we'll 
start right off." 

Jock ran quickly to the place where his 
skiff had been left, and as he rowed around 
the corner of the dock to the cat-boat, Bert 
said, "Where's Ben? He'll have to get 
his canoe too." 

But Ben at first could not be found, and 
the anger of Ethan waxed strong. " That 
pesky boy is always the one to bother us. 
Where do ye s'pose he is ? " 

"There! there he is!" exclaimed Bob, 
pointing as he spoke toward a canoe which 
could be seen out on the river. 



'¥>■ 



L WRENCE. 

p and consider 
storm-clouds, 
xclaimed Jock, 
their boatman 
laa his cat-boat 
) he has, for I 
amp, especially 

Ethan greeted 
,0 listen to the 
in the Longue 
Git aboard my 
3 goin' to rail, 

it begins. Git 
I tow, an' we'll 

place where his 
le rowed around 
le cat-boat, Bert 
j'U have to get 

ot be found, and 
strong. " That 

ne to bother us. 

» 

exclaimed Bob, 
rd a canoe which 
ver. 



THE SQUALL. 



m 



.-..The occupant could not be plainly seen, 
lit after watching his movements for a mo- 
ment they were all satisfied that it was 
Leed Ben, who, probably in his desire to 
paddle his own canoe, had slipped away un- 
Observed, and was already well on his way 

back-to camp. , 

Ethan uttered another exclamation ot 
anger, but as he quickly bade the boys take 
their places on board his boat, there was no 
time lost in further investigations, and soon 
4th the skiff in tow, they were head«^ 
down the river. There was, however but 
Uttle air stirring, and soon the cat-boat was 
almost becalmed. The heavy clouds climbed 
h gher and higher in the sky, but the waters 
oAhe river were almost as motionless a, 
glass. The sail Bapped 'dly against the 
Lst, and the boat slowly drrfted with the 

™mh» did not speak now, but his eviden^ 
air of alarm speedily communicated te f to 
his companions. They glanced nervoudy at 
one another, and then at the great black 
Lss which was almost dkectly over their 

'''^^Don't you think we'd better take the 
oars, Ethan?" suggested Jock. 



. !f»J 



-rs.: 



^,■~■^ -V 




IM' 



w 



828 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Ethan shook his head, but made no other 
reply. A streak of light gray in the dense 
blackness of the clouds could now be seen, 
and as the boatman discovered it, he said, 
" Take in the sail, boys. It'll be — " 

But Ethan did not complete the sentence, 
for suddenly the deluge was upon them. In 
a moment the wind began to blow, and like 
a startled horse the boat suddenly seemed 
to leap forward. A roaring sound filled the 
air, and the trees along the distant shore 
bent and swayed and tossed their branches 
wildly, as if they, too, shared in the alarm. 
The river was quickly covered with white- 
caps, and the rail of the cat-boat was almost 
beneath the water. 

"Here! here!" shouted Ethan suddenly, 
endeavoring to make his voice heard above 
the noise of the storm. " Two of ye hold 
the tiller while I take in the sail." 

Bob and Jock sprang to do his bidding, 
but their combined strength was hardly suf- 
ficient to hold the boat to its course. Ethan 
worked his way slowly toward the mast, and 
after a hard struggle succeeded in lowering 
the sail, a part of which dragged in the 
water before he could draw it on board. 
At last, succeeding in a measure in his 



* 4it- -^ . 



VBENCE. 

ade no other 
in the dense 
now be seen, 
d it, he said, 
be — " 
the sentence, 
lon them. In 
)low, and like 
denly seemed 
und filled the 
distant shore 
heir branches 
in the aliarm. 
d with white- 
)at was almost 

ihan suddenly, 
;e heard above 
vo of ye hold 
sail." 

his bidding, 
vas hardly suf- 
lourse. Ethan 

1 the mast, and 
ed in lowering 
ragged in the 
t on board, 
measure in his 



THE SQUALL. 



829 



efforts, he returned to his place in he ste^ 
and resumed his labors with the tiller The , 

fury of the storm had now increased. All 
on board were soon drenched; but they did 
not mind the wettmg, for a great fear was 
in their hearts. The roar of the wind was 
like that of a railway train under full speed 
Even the outlines of the shores could not 
now be seen. Under bare poles the boat 
sped swiftly forward. Once or twice they 
caught a glimpse of other luckless men 
caught as they were in the squall, but they 
were speedily lost to sight, and the cai^boat 
darted ahead with ever-increasmg speed. 

Suddenly Jock discovered that it was no 
longer rain which was falling upon them, 
but hail; and even while he looked up in 
astonishment, the hailstones seemed to m- 
crease in size. As they struck the boys 
in the face or upon the head they produced 
a sharp pain, and every one speedily covered 
his face with his cap and drew his coat up 
more tightly about his neck. ^ ^^ 

«Go into the cabin, every one o y^- 
shouted Ethan ; but his voice was drowned 
by the storm, and no one heard or heeded 
his cry of warning. •_ 

On and on plunged the boat, higher and 



■rmm 



r^K 



'■^ 




li 



330 CAMPIXO ox THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

higher rose the tossing waves, stronger and 
stronger became the force of the pelting 
hailstones. In spite of their fear the boys 
all looked up as they heard a sudden sound 
of breaking branches and snapping trees. 
Just before them through the blinding storm 
they could see a shore and tossing waters as 
they fell in waves upon the rocks. A great 
tree had just fallen, and the sound of the 
crash it made as it fell upon the smaller 
trees about it increased the terror in the' 
boat. They were not more than twenty 
yards distant now, and it seemed as if no 
power on earth could save them from being 
dashed upon the projecting rocks. A great 
mass of earth had been torn up by the roots 
of the tree which had fallen, and they could 
see the wall it presented. 

Nearer and nearer to the shore sped the 
swift-flying cat-boat. The boys relaxed 
their hold upon their caps and coats, and 
grasped the sides of the boat as they waited 
for the crash which threatened. Ethan was 
struggling desperately with the tiller, and 
doing his utmost to keep his boat away 
from the rocks, but his efforts were like 
those of a littlie child. No one spoke, but 
the terror each felt was known by all. 



'-*i 



L 



WHENCE. 

, stronger and 
f the pelting 
fear the boys 
sudden sound 
lapping trees. 
)linding storm 
sing waters as 
cks. A great 
sound of the 
n the smaller 
terror in the' 
than twenty 
imed as if no 
jm from being 
cks. A great 
ip by the roots 
md they could 

ihore sped the 
boys relaxed 
i,nd coats, and 
as they waited 
1. Ethan was 
the tiller, and 
his boat away 
)rts were like 
one spoke, but 
Yn by all. 



THE SQUALL. 



381 



Then ca.e a --* thfC^J^^- 
P^"-'^'°""'e:„Thrrh™Jt bodily 
The boatman rose and thre« 

perale effort to keep » ^ ^^^ ^^^^ 

There was a g'^'t^K f ™'; ^^,^ past the 
and then in a 7™^", ^f J;^ L river 
-i»p-;r;"h;t-lo,etotherocWy 
T" tha C almost could have leaped 

Tmate tt oolhardy attempt, the oppor- 

The sense ot reiiei w 

e,eapeinnowis^P--^/t,7:Uhaa 
knowing tha *^ /"^ „„„,a ,ee piles 
not yet spent ''^f ' \ J ^^^ and some 
of hailstones on hoar^ tto ^ ,^ ^^^^^ ^^ 

. of them seemed to be ^^^ 

small eggs^ ™Z bX, and there was no 
head and about the body ^^^^^ ^^^^ 

escape or relief. IM «' ^ ^^3^^ 

^thingwaters tossed »d rose ab ^^^ 

theboatlurchedandp^W.andy ^^^^^^ 

time was driven »'" f^J^'^ther perils 
''tt" rule tUent and with the 

r^ht'tle boys all peered eagerly ahead. 



332 CAMPING} ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

though they could see but a short distance 
through the blinding storm. 

Suddenly a lull came, and as the boys 
glanced up they could see a broad streak 
of light in the western sky. The black 
clouds were scurrying overhead, and the 
sound of the thunder seemed to be a little 
farther away. Swiftly as the storm had 
approached, with almost as great swiftness 
it departed. The flashes of the vivid 
lightning could still be seen, but they were 
farther down the river. The outlines of 
the distant shores became more and more 
distinct, and almost before the boys were 
aware of what was occurring, the blaze 
of the sun broke through, and the wind 
and the storm subsided. 

" We're all right now," said Ethan ; and 
with a sigh of relief the boys turned to look 
at him. 

" Them squalls," explained the boatman, 
"are mighty sudden. Ye never know 
when to expect 'em, or jest what to do 
when they come. Now, ye see why I told 
ye not to go far from camp with yer 
canoes." 

The mention of the canoes instantly 
recalled their thoughts to the missing Ben. 



^— ^»\ 



i:nce. 

i distance 

the boys 
)ad streak 
rhe black 
, and the 
be a little 
storm had 
; swiftness 
the vivid 

they were 
Dutlines of 

and more 
boys were 

the blaze 

the wind 

Ithan ; and 
ned to look 

e boatman, 
5ver know 
hat to do 
why I told 
with yer 

) instantly 
issing Ben. 



THE SQUALL. 



338 



He had recklessly ventured forth in his, 
and doubtless had been caught in the same 
storm which had so suddenly swept down 

"^For a moment no one spoke, and then 
Jock said tremblingly, "You don't suppose 
anything has happened to Ben, do you, 

Ethan "i*" 

" No knowin' . Mebbe he ran in to some 
island when the squall broke." 

It was evident, however, that the boat- 
man was no less troubled than they by the 
thoughts of the absent Ben ; but he at once 
placed the tiller in the hands of the boys 
and went forward to hoist his sail once 

"" The wind had subsided now, and the 
boisterous waves were rapidly resuming 
their former state of calm It was he 
first experience the boys had had m the 
sudden squalls which are wont to swoop 
down upon the St. Lawrence, and ofttimes 
bring sorrow and destruction in then- wake. 
Ordinarily they subside as rapidly as they 
rise, and the present instance proved to be 
no exception t« the rule. The river was 
soon calm, the low sun was shinmg clear 
and strong, and only a gentle breeze ruffled 



f 



384 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWUENCE. 

the waters that only a brief time before 
were tossing like the waves of an angry sea. 

Steadily the cat-boat kept on its way, and 
as it had not been driven very far out of its 
course, not a long time had elapsed before 
the party was landed at the dock in front 
of their camp. 

But what a sight met their eyes there ! 
Neither of the tents could be seen, and 
directly across the path which led down to 
the shore, a huge tree had fallen. Broken 
branches strewed the ground, and the signs 
of the fierceness of the gale were apparent 
on every side. 

Slight heed was given to any of these 
things, however, so alarmed were the boys 
over the safety of their missing companion. 
Poor Ben ! Was ever a more luckless mor- 
tal born into this world ? He was ever the 
one to meet with mishaps, if mishaps befell ; 
but his peril in the present instance far 
exceeded all he had experienced before. 

" Now, boys," said Ethan, " you'd better 
take the skiff and row back up the river. 
You may find Ben somewhere, and he may 
need ye, too. While you're gone I'll see 
where the tents have been blown to and 
try to set things to rights again." 



'ENCE. 

ime before 
angry sea. 
.3 way, and 
" out of its 
sed before 
k in front 

^es there ! 
seen, and 
\ down to 
Broken 
the signs 
i apparent 

^ of these 
the boys 
jmpanion. 
kless mor- 
s ever the 
ips befell ; 
itance far 
efore. 
I'd better 
the river, 
d he may 
e I'll see 
n to and 



THE sqUALL. 



386 



Without waiting to reply, f^ /^'^^^^ ^^t 
au^kly freed the skiff which ^^^J^l^^^^' 
Td been towing, and Jock and Bob, each 
taking a pair of oars, began to row swiftly 
taking a p* definite idea 

over the river, ihey uaa no 
1 to iust where it was best to go, but they 
t.^on ireir way back toward Alexandria 
Birhotg that somewhere they would 
Sv U paddling to meet them in Ins 
noe. Tl J strongest hope was that^^e 
had landed somewhere before the storm 
broke, and now that it was gone, would be 

on his way back to the camp. 

Thev had been gone about a q«f ^er oi 
an hour, when Bert, who was seated m the 
stern, xclaimed, "There's a canoe up 
:Ld, fellows, but there's no one in. t 

His companions stopped rowing lor d, 
„.oment and glanced eagerly behind them^ 
C with reloubled speed they began to 
move toward the drifting canoe. Soon they 
Td overhauled it, and a low cry escaped 
Jock's lips when he recognized it at once as 
tone which ha^ belonged to the missing 

Ben. 



': H 






y 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



THE SEARCH. 

The feeling of gloom in the hearts of the 
boys was reflected in the dusk which now 
had settled over all. The sun had disap- 
peared, and the blaze in the western sky 
seemed weird and unnatural. The silence 
that rested over the river was so intense 
that it almost seemed as if they could hear 
it, if such a thing were possible. For a 
moment the boys looked blankly at one 
another, but no one seemed willing to give 
utterance to the fear which evidently pos- 
sessed them all. 

Jock was the first to speak, and as he 
reached over and grasped the canoe to 
make it fast to the skiff, he said in a low 
voice, " This is the worst^yet, fellows. I'm 
almost afraid to go on." 

"■ We'll have to go, whether we're afraid 
or not," said Bob. 

His decided tone could not conceal his 

336 



THE tiEARCH. 



887 



I. 



hearts of the 
ic which now 
n had disap- 
western sky 
The silence 
as so intense 
ey could hear 
sible. For a 
ankly at one 
irilling to give 
evidently pos- 

tk, and as he 
the canoe to 
said in a low 
fellows. I'm 

jr we're afraid 

)t conceal his 



• * Knt his suggestion was so mani- 
r:; ;X' th A oar» «ere at once 

lh„y resumed the.r -^Zo^" ^^ that 
The water, were cahn now 

scarcely a ripple ^'awL co" tages -'> 
began to appear m the d.stant c g .^^ ^^^ 

the '>-''"7^;'^(;^Cr"-''«ul of the 
boys rowed ™'"'y ° y j, had gone, 

long and -'<'<'"^"''JZ^Zmnt Wend, 
and thinking only ot the r m.s g 

Bert was keeping a careful '»^°"'' /^ 
just what he or his companions expected 
see was not evident 

" 1 tiiink, fellows, saio ueri, 

■A ZtUr row farther in toward the 
"you'd better row ^^ 

»to'-«*''<'t'fBen landT-ywhere.it 

"" r^'ukely to b"on one of the islands, 
would be l*«ly "^ ^„d then U we 

We can go up » ™^» " ' ^^ ^„ „ut across 

*"»•' Tv Hlmay tave been picked up 
tytrnXt^Uirried back there, you 

know." ^ , , .« ^ag quickly 

The direction of the sKin w«*» h j^ 

V, pd for the advice seemed . good, 

changed, tor ^u« words, and 

a;\rS^r--as. ^gai„ 



r 



388 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

and again they stopped and shoutod to- 
gether, but only the echoes along the sh^re 
or the calls of the night birds responded. 

The slight hope they had cherished was 
almost gone now. The empty canoe was 
a constant reminder of their loss, and the 
longing in their hearts was fast becoming 
changed to despair. Not even the paddle 
had been found, and the fear that the canoe 
had been capsized in the squall, and its 
occupant thrown into iiie \7ater, was becom- 
ing almost a certainty. 

"There's one thing, fellows," said Bob, 
at last, striving somehow to keep up their 
courage, " and tha.^ is, that Ben, though he 
is the most unlucky fellow in some ways 
that ever lived, in others is the most lucky. 
Just think of the scrapes he's been in since 
we came down here, and yet he got out of 
every one. If it had been any one of us, 
we'd have gone straight to the bottom of 
the St. Lawrence, but Ben, somehow, man- 
ages to come right side up with care, and 
I'll not give up yet." 

Bob endeavored to speak confidently, but 
his words failed to cheer his companions. 
The lights of Alexandria Bay could now be 
seen in the distance, and the end of their 



THE SEARCH. 



339 



WBENCE. 

I shout.jd to- 
long the shvie 

responded, 
cherished was 
ty canoe was 

loss, and the 
fast becoming 
en the paddle 
that the canoe 
quail, and its 
er, was becom- 

vs," said Bob, 
keep up their 
Jen, though he 
in some ways 
tie most lucky. 
s been in since 
t he got out of 
any one of us, 
the bottom of 
lomehow, man- 
with care, and 

lonfidently, but 
is companions. 
y could now be 
e end of their 



attempt to discover the missing Ben had 
1 J rome Failure was to be stamped 

Bay now," said Jock, at last, pa""n8.- !^^ . 
r;Se%nd looking -dlyabe.3h.m>n the 

'"Ules'lthinkwed better go over there/' 

vTLh "Of course Ben may have 
StrtoJp long before this, Wt as 

we are so near, I suppose we might as well 
^°Ther^et::rawUy yards from 
J AorTof one of ',he little islands now. 

A IThev grasped their oars agam to 
and as tney g^*^ k . y. 

carry out Jock's suggestion, they "crej"^ 
Xd by a shout that came from a projectmg 

'"'t'::^r;:liv:lme one standing 

.V J„rwavirg a handkerchief aloft on a 
S This sound of his call was snf^ 

tient t« interest th. boys at once, and 
Sout uttering a word t-^^ ^-^^ f ^^^ 

r„ror.S Xnd a« soon a. the sound 







VI 



340 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

of the hallo became a little more distinct, 
he said in a low, intense voice, " I believe 
it's Ben, boys. Give him the school cheer, 

and let's see." 

The boys stopped, and the school cheer 
rang out, and then they waited a moment 
in breathless suspense for the response. 

Faintly across the water came the answer- 
mg cheer, and then, half laughing and half 
crying, Jock said, "Did you ever see such 
a fellow in your lives? It's just as Bob 
here says. Ben can get into more scrapes, 
and get out of them too, than any chap that 

ever lived." 

« Never mind that part of it now," said 
Bob, quickly. " Give way, Jock, and let's 
go for him. ' Of all his scrapes this is the 

worst." 

There was no mistaking the reaction now 
as the boys swept over the river, making 
every stroke tell. As they approached the 
point, they perceived Ben seated on one of 
the rocks, and leaning upon his paddle as if 
he was the most unconcerned spectator of 
their movements. Quickly the skiS was 
sent ashore, and as Bert leaped out, Ben, 
who had not stirred from his seat on the 
rocks, said, — 



"■^ 



VRENCE. 

lore distinct, 
e, " I believe 
school cheer, 



school cheer 
ed a moment 
response, 
le the answer- 
hing and half 
ever see such 
J just as Bob 

more scrapes, 
any chap that 

it now," said 
[ock, and let's 
pes this is the 

e reaction now 
river, making 
ipproached the 
lated on one of 
his paddle as if 
ed spectator of 
the skiS was 
s8.ped out, Ben, 
his «eat on the 



THE SEARCB. 



841 



«T must say, fellows, you have taken 
t?me I didn't know but you were 

^°"' to leave nt here all night. I've trav- 
gomg to leave m ^.^^g 

^^^^' f r^Tatd I Lt" seen a boat or 

,„ee 1 lauded a^^^ 1 ^^^.^^^^ 

a man. I thougtij ^^^^^ ^^^^.^^ ,. 

for certain, and done m ^^^^^bling 

«0h, Ben, said Jock, m 

vol.. "donttal. that way. You a™ 

U„„whow£ngh^ned-w- We^^^^^^ 
out to search for you J'""" j^„„a 

got back to -3/t;y "na "-*■■»« 
rnravlCaJ.r Low what had 

'TM*y»"flnd my canoe f" interrupted 

^''yTX" -id Jock, laughing in spite 

of himself. 

"Where is it?" . . „ 

u T?; n-Vit here We took it m tow. 
Tbtsgod- The thing got away from 
That 8 goo ^^^ .^ ^g^^^ 

T' '"' Ve ; nd d -ne straight ashore 
Yousee, the wind m ^^ 

T' 'when I g abbed' my paddle and 
too. VViien g ^^^^^ ^^ 

jumped out, and then turn ^.^^ ^^^ 

pick up my canoe, why, it wd 




342 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

Irishman's flea — when I put my hand on 
it, it wasn't there." 

"What did you do, Ben?" inquired 

Bert. 

« Do ? T didn't do anything. The wind 
blew so I thought it was going to tear up 
the very island itself. I hid myself behind 
the rocks, and waited. When the storm 
had passed I began to look about to see how 
I was to get away from my desert island. 
I travelled around it three times, as I told 
you. but I couldn't tind any way of getting 
off, and I'd about made up ray mind I'd 
have to spend the night here, when I dis- 
covered three men in a boat, and hailed 

them." 

" Did you know who we were ? " 

" No ; and I didn't care. All I wanted 
was to be taken off." 

" We'll take you now," said Jock. " Come 
along ; it's getting dark." 

" I'll take my canoe, if you please," said 

Ben, glibly. 

" Ben, you're not going to paddle back to 
camp in that cockle-shell to-night?" ex- 
claimed Jock, aghast at the proposal. " I 
should think you'd had enough .of it for one 
night. Come along and be civilized, and 






l^VBENCE. 

my hand on 

|n?" inquired 

ig. The wind 
ig to tear up 

[myself behind 
en the storm 
ut to see how 
desert island. 

mes, as I told 
ay of getting 
my mind I'd 

e, when I dis- 

at, and hailed 

lere ? " 
All I wanted 

iJock. "Come 

u please," said 

paddle back to 
o-night?" ex- 
proposal. " I 
h of it for one 
civilized, and 



THE SEARCH. 



343 



take your place at the oars in the skiff, like 
a little man." 

" Here I take my stand. I can do no 
other," responded Ben, striking an attitude 
as he spoke. " If I go back to camp, it'll 
be in my light canoe." 

" Let him go on a raft if he wants to," 
said Bob, glumly. " We've done our part, 
and it's his own risk now." 

" Ben, you'll keep close to us, won't you ? " 
pleaded Jock. 

" Yes, if you'll keep close to me," replied 
Ben. " You'll have to do your best to keep 
up, though, 1 cnn tell that." 

Ligbthearted now, the boys resumed their 
places in the ykiff, Bert taking Jock's place 
at the oars, anii with Ren in his canoe, which 
had not suifered any from the storm, started 
down the river. 

Ben was as good as his words, and though 
the two pairs of oar? enabled his friends to 
make excellent time, they were compelled 
to exert th'^^nselver to the utmost to keep 
the skiff within sight. As >-* consequence, 
when they arrived at the camp, as they did 
soon afterward, they were thoroughly tired, 
and ready for the supper which Ethan and 
Tom had provided. 




844 CAMPING ON TEE ST. LAWRENCE. 

. Ben's appearance was as welcome to the 
boatmen as it had been to the boys, and 
while they were seated at the table he was 
compelled to relate the story of his adven- 
ture again. As Jock perceived that the 
tents had been restored, he turned to Ethan 
and said, — 

" Did you have any trouble in setting the 
tents up again?" 

" Just a littkj" responded Ethan. " One 
o' 'era I found up in the top o' that pine 
tree over yonder, and t'other one was down 
on the shore, but we managed to git 'em all 
right enough. Neow then, I'm a-goin' to 
take that canoe back with me to-night. I 
jest won't leave it where that Ben can get 
hold of it. The next time he'll not be so 
lucky." 

Even Ben uttered no protest ; but when 
Ethan started for the place where the canoe 
was kept on the bank, it could nowhere be 
found. Ben pretended to search with the 
others; and when all their efforts pr'^- d 
unavailing, Ethan declared testily, — 

" The pesky thing's got afloat again. Well, 
there's one comfort, and that is that this boy 
can't bother with it. I shouldn't sleep a 
wink to-night thinkin' o' him, if 'tw#8 left 
here." 



■^> 



WHENCE. 

slcome to the 
the boys, and 
} table he was 
of his adven- 
ived that the 
rned to Ethan 

in setting the 

Ethan. " One 
p o' that pine 
one was down 
I to git 'em all 
I'm a-goin' to 
le to-night. I 
,t Ben can get 
he'll not be so 

est; but when 
here the canoe 
lid nowhere be 
Barch with the 
efforts pr^ ' d 
estily, — 
at again. Well, 
is that this boy 
ouldn't sleep a 
m, if 'tw4|8 left 



THE 8EABCH. 



345 



After the departure of the boatmen Bon 
demurely entered the woods, and soon re- 
Tned with the treasured canoe m h.s 

'Txhafs too bad, Ben;; said Jock. "You 

know what Ethan said.' 

" rm not going to scare Ethan to-mght 

r %pn « for I've had enough to satisfy 
replied Ben, lor i vc 

J for one day. But you don t thmk for a 
„,oment that I'm going to give »p my wo k 
ta this thing, do you? Well, I » "o*. I* » 
just got to come to my turn, and that s all 

Xn:*:f'thl boys were surprised when 

*^^r-^ trri-rBeriarg 

lowing mormng ^^\f'l''^^ j^ ^^^ true 

tr"trtu:v::yrfrom»hore,the 

; \^ the nrevious day evidently not 

SteetXely lost,Ld as the -t 

'^ *'''** ry:raiitcrr:'ii:k 

companions, they were all 

upon his persUtence m a spmt ot goo 

°ttto, too, displayed no anger whence 
,.,.ived and discovered Ben m h« custom^y 

were#eat«d at the breakfast table, ma 




346 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

many inquiries as to their experiences and 
success in shooting the Longue Seaut Rapids. 
His enthusiasm was great when he learned 
of the capture of the muscallonge, and 
again and again he referred to his own 
prophecy concerning the fishing in that 
part of the St. Lawrence River. 

For several days the life in the camp on 
Pine Tree Island was uneventful, though 
every day was filled with its own interest- 
ing experiences. Ethan contrived to spend 
more of his time with the boys than he had 
previously done, and though he did not re- 
fer to the perilous experience in the storm, 
they all understood that that was the mo- 
tive which controlled him, and, if the truth 
were known, not one of the boys objected. 
Though the vividness of that fearful ride in 
the gale had hi a measure departed from 
their minds, still the memory of it was 
strong, and even the determined Bob seemed 
to have profited by the lesson. 

One day, in the week which followed, the 
Clarkes came wit ti their yacht and took the 
boys with them ior a picnic on Chimney 
Island. The remains of the old French 
fort were still standing, and as the view of 
the St. Lawrence from the ruins was one 



WHENCE. 

periences and 
Seaut Rapids, 
en he learned 
callonge, and 
1 to his own 
hing in that 
ver. 

I the camp on 
sntful, though 
own interest- 
rived to spend 
s than he had 
he did not re- 
in the storm, 
b was the mo- 
d, if the truth 
boys objected, 
fearful ride in 
departed from 
)ry of it was 
ed Bob seemed 
I. 

h followed, the 
t and took the 
! on Chimney 
le old French 
as the view of 
ruins was one 



THE SEARCH. 



347 



which extended for miles up and dovm the 
Tiver they all could readily understand why 
It'spoThad been selected by ^be so d..s 
of that far-away time. Bob offered to ex 
plain the early history to h.s friends, but as 
Ben said quickly, when Bob began - 
u There it is again! ^^'s ]us as I sa^d^ 

r&, ^^ Canad. Cathol^ 

Cavon, Cortereal, and now its Chjmney 

Island For one, I've had enough, 
'^mlaughwhichfollowedwhenthemean- 

inff of Ben's words was explained to the 
;'rty caused even Bob to desist, and chang- 
ing the subject, he inqmred,— 
^^Have any of you young ladies ever 

"'^Se".^?" -id Miss Bessie. "What's 
Hamrk. I-t another fish yo^caug^ 
those wonderful Longue Seaut Bapids . 

T/," replied Bob. "It's Ethan's word 
for Shakespeare's play. The ' young foUcs 
Z going to give it to-morrow evening over 
Tthe Comers for the benefit of the public 
wakr We're going, all four of us; and! 

^dn' t know but' you would like to gc, o. 
The proposition was hailed with delight , 



^F 



848 CAMPINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

and when the party )>roke up in the late 
afternoon it was agr' od that Mr. Clarke 
was to stop for the boys on the following 
evening, and that together they were all to 
go to the Corners and witness the much 
talked about play of " Hamlick." 



WBSNCE. 



ip in the late 
It Mr. Clarke 
the following 
ey were all to 
esft the much 
ck." 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

SAMLICE. 

FiRLT in the following evening the yacht 
.topt^darPine Tree Island, nnd after onr 

boys had '-™-°''^^*""' 'C^ire 
on its way to the Corners, wUore the entire 

;X Sed, and at once started up the v^ 

Le street toward the town hall, where 

Xmlick" was to make his long-e^peeted 

TwT^on discovered that mariy others 
weSently going to the same place, and 
JoLli dusty country roads teams could 
tfeen approaching from almost eve^ 

f<'rn:hi:rrhrr: 
Bht^te^"---- 

"■^^en onr party climbed the rambling 

349 



r 



850 CAMPINO ON THE HT. LAW HENCE. 

fltairway which led to the room in the third 
floor of the town hall where Hamlick was 
to appear, it was an unusual sight upon 
which thc> looked. Old people and young 
were entering the room ; mothers with little 
babes in their arms ; the ever-present »raall 
boy, whose disposition does not vary mate- 
rially whether he dwells in country or city ; 
bashful young fellows, who apparently were 
wondering what they should do with those 
hands of theirs which, somehow, would pro- 
trude too {ar below the short sleeves of their 
coats ; all these and many more were there. 
In the front of the room the platforn) was 
hidden from sight by some blue denim cur- 
tains hung on wires, which were to be raa- 
iv'pulated by some one behind the scenes, 
borne kerosene lamps were giving a faint 
light from brackets on the walls, and a huge 
wood stove stood in one corner of the room 
where it had done duty for years at the 
gatherings in the bitter winter days. 

There was no usher to show our party the 
way, but as they perceived that no places 
had been reserved, and that all were free to 
go where they chose, they at once turned 
toward the few remaining seats which were 
well up in the front of the room and quietly 



I WHENCE. 



m in the third 
Hamlick was 
il sight upon 
pie and young 
iiers with little 
r-present »raall 
not vary mate- 
juntry or city ; 
pparently were 
do with those* 
ow, would pro- 
sleeves of their 
ore were there, 
le platforn) was 
slue denim cur- 
were to be raa- 
ind the scenes, 
giving a faint 
alls, and a huge 
ler of the room 
)r years at the 
ter days, 
w our party the 
that no places 
all were free to 
at once turned 
leats which were 
oom and quietly 




^> 



v^. 



^ 








IMAGE EVALUATION 
TEST TARGET (MT-3) 



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Corporation 



CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 



CIHM/ICMH 
Collection de 
microfiches. 




Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 





J*- 



^ 



nAMLICK. 



351 



seated themselves. These seats were benches 
ax^ross the backs of which narrow strips of 
board had been nailed, and forced the oc- 
cupant to maintain an attitude which was 
anything but comfortable. The whole 
scene was so strange and unlike anythmg 
which any of them had ever seen before 
that the novelty banished even the sense of 
discomfort, and all gazed about them with 
an air of interest as keen as doubtless that 
of the good people of the Corners would 

have been had they been privileged to en- 
ter some spacious hall in the great city 
from which the summer visitors had come. 
To add to the interest, Ethan was discov- 
ered seated in the end of one of the pews 
or benches which our friends appropriated 
but his appearance was so «f ^^edly difter- 
ent from that to which the boys had been 
accustomed that they ha^ some difficulty 
in really persuading themselves that it was 
their boatman before them. 

Ethan was dressed in a suit of rusty 
black broadcloth, which evident^ had seen 
other days if it had not seen better, and his 
bearing was so solemn thai at first the boys 
fancied that he was conducting himself as 
he would have done in church. 



• 



^■ 



352 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

"Aren't they almost ready to begin, 
Ethan ? " inquired Jock, after he had pre- 
sented the sturdy boatman to his friends. 

" I s'pose so. They were to begin at 
seven-thirty sharp," replied Ethan, sol- 
emnly. 

" Tom must be excited," suggested Jock, 
for want of something else to say. 

" I s'pose so." 

It was plain that Ethan considered the 
occasion too solemn for such trifling ques- 
tions, and accordingly Jock turned to his 
other friends, who were not troubled by any 
such scruples, and was soon talking and 
laughing with them. 

The interest in the scene did not decrease 
as the moments of waiting passed. Boys 
entered and lurched heavily into their seats 
and began to snap the peanuts, with which 
their pockets had been well supplied, or in- 
dustriously began to busy themselves with 
pieces of spruce gum which the present 
owners had wrested from the trees by their 
own efforts. 

Solemn-faced elderly people entered, and 
frequently a young mother came, bringing 
with her a baby which was sleeping in her 
arms or nodding its head sagely, as with 



NCE. 

:o begin, 
had pre- 
:riends. 
begin at 
lan, sol- 
bed Jock, 



lered the 
ing ques- 
id to his 
id by any 
^ing and 

decrease 
d. Boys 
tieir seats 
ith which 
ed, or in- 
Ives with 
! present 
i by their 

ered, and 

bringing 

ig in her 

, as with 



HAMLICK. 



868 



wide-open eyes it looked out upon the 

assembly. ^j;i„ 

The interest in the audience was speedily 
transferred to the stage, from which the 
curtains now began to be drawn back 
Apparently something was wrong in the 
t,!;'aratus,'for they "l^itched" when about 
half of the platform appeared m sight and 
after a whispered conversation had taken 
place, in tones so shrill that they could be 
heard by the entire assembly, a well^grown 
lad stepped from behind the scenes and ad- 
justed the strings by which the screens were 

"" ffis appearance was greeted with a shout 
of delight from the small boys in the audi- 
ence, as they called him familiarly by his 
name, and bestowed other signs of then- a^ 
proval upon him. The greeting, however 
las not received in the spirit m which it 
had heen given, and the - manager, after 
vainly striving for a moment to adjust the 
workings, speedily retired in confusion. A 
yank upon the curtains quickly fol owed 
and though a sound as of tearmg cloth was 
heard, the view of the platform was soon 
unobstructed, and the audience became si- 
lent, waiting for the periormance to begm. 



2a 



#■ 



354 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

After a brief interval Bernardo appeared, 
gazing carefully about him for Francisco, 
who, too tender-hearted to disappoint his 
commanding officer, speedily strode forth 
upon the platform, prepared to do or die. 

" Who's there ? " began Bernardo, in a 
loud stage whisper. 

"Nay, answer me; stand, and unfold 
yourself!" thundered Francisco in reply. 

"Long live the Khig!" responded the 
officer, as if he were trying to make the 
people in Alexandria Bay aware of his 
patriotic feeling. 

" Bernardo ? " exclaimed Francisco, in 
apparent surprise, though he had been 
standing within a few feet of the man 
all the time. 

The conversation continued until Horatio 
and Marcellus joined them, and at once be- 
gan to speak. Horatio was evidently master 
of the situation, but poor Marcellus had an 
attack of stage fright. Wherr it came his 
turn to speak he began impulsively, — 

"And liegemen to — to — to — to — " but 
he could go no further. Again he began, 
in lower and more impressive tones : " A — 
a — and liegemen to — to — " but the desired 
word would not come. 



illMi I -nlWlHHi" 



X 



NCE. 

ippeared, 
•'rancisco, 
point his 
)(le forth 

or die. 
rdo, in a 

d unfold 
n reply, 
nded the 
nake the 
e of his 

icisco, in 
lad been 
the man 

1 Horatio 
t once be- 
ly master 
IS had an 
came his 

)— " but 
le began, 
is: "A— 
te desired 



nAMLICK. 



355 



"To the Dane," whispered some one 
behind the scenes in a penetrating voice 
which reached to the utmost corners of 

the room. ^ ^ 

" And liegemen to the Dane, responded 

Marcellus, boldly. 

Apparently he had recovered now, and all 
went well until the time came when the 
Ghost was to enter. Whether it was the 
terrifying dread of the nocturnal visitor, 
or the evident alarm of the four who were 
conversing so eagerly upon the stage that 
produced the trouble which followed, is not 
known ; but no sooner had he glided in with 
his unearthly tread, and no less unearthly 
glances, which he cast about the room, than 
Marcellus, in his most awe-inspiring whisper, 
began, "Peace! Break thee off ; look where 
it comes again;" and then one of the babies 
m the room began to scream. 

Bernardo boldly continued, '' In the same 
figure, like the king that's dead." 

"Thou art a scholar," responded Marcel- 
lus. " Speak to it, Horatio." 

But the wailing infant in the front seat 
was not to be suppressed, and his screams 
of terror or rage were becoming more and 
more shrill, and were dividing the attention 



# 



866 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

and sympcathy of the audience and even 
diverting their gaze from the stage. 

Apparently human nature could not en- 
dure the strain, and suddenly resuming 
an upright attitude and speaking in tones 
marvellously like those of an angry man, 
the Ghost turned to the audience, and said 
sharply, " Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, 
but we'll have to stop the performance till 
the mother removes that yelling young 'un 
from this hall." 

Without a protest the young mother rose, 
and, despite the increased lamentations of 
her offspring and his vigorous bodily con- 
tortions, departed ; and at last, when " the 
infant with no language but a cry," as 
Bob afterward described the scene, could 
no longer be heard, the play was resumed. 

No one had appeared to be surprised at 
the interruption, and Ethan had never once 
glanced at the boys. Dignified and unmoved 
he sat watching the stage as if such slight 
deviations from the words of the "Im- 
mortal Shakespeare" were not able to 
divert his attention, and he had slight 
sjrmpathy for those who would even look 
about them to discover whose baby it was 
that was now creating the disturbance. 




■y, as 
could 
sumed. 
ised at 
sr once 
imoved 
L slight 
I "Im- 
,ble to 
slight 
m look 
' it was 
rbance. 



UAMLICK. 



867 



Babies were expected to be present on 
fuch occasions, and if present they were 
in duty bound to make themselves heard -- 
That was a matter of course; an wh.ch 

particular baby it was exercismg its lungs 
at the present moment was, m his opmion 
too insignificant a matter to interest any 

""^The interruption seemed, however to have 
wrought havoc once more with Marcellus, 
for when the play was resumed he began 
to falter and hesitate, and like all people 
who hesitate, was speedily lost. 

After he had boldly bidden Horatio to 
question the terror-inspiring visitor, and 
Tad declared " it was offended," he seemed 

to lose heart. 

u'Tis gone,and will not -not -will not 

—not — 'Tis gone and will — will, i is 
will and not gone. No," he added abruptly 
apparently as much to the surprise of the 
Ghost himself, who could be Been peering 
from behind the curtain as to hat of his 
audience, "No, 'tiBu't' 'tis will, Its tis 
gone.' 'Tisgoneand- and— and — 

Poor Marcellus gazed about him in de- 
spair, as if he was looking for help ; but no 
help came, except from the side of the 



"^m 



t 



3r)S CAMPINO ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

platform, vvluire the prompter tried in a 
loud whisper to aid the desperate player. 

Horatio, to help his comrade, went back 
to the last line he had spoken, and re- 
peated, "Stay! speak, speak! I charge 
thee, speak ! " 

" That's what I'm trying to do, but can't," 
replied Marcellus, casting Shakespeare and 
discretion aside at the same time. 

The words were too much for our boys, 
who, up to this time, had been striving 
desperately to remain quiet. Jock had 
stuffed his handkerchief into his mouth, 
but the explosive force of the last despair- 
ing speech of Marcellus had proved too 
much for him to bear, and a prolonged 
squeal came from his lips which forced 
even the handkerchief from its place. 

*' He-e-e-e-e-e ! " he cried, and in a mo- 
ment his companions were all clinging to 
the back of the seat in front of them and 
shaking with laughter. But few others in 
the audience seemed to be similarly affected, 
and Ethan turned and gave them a look 
which greatly aided in restoring their com- 
posure. 

Marcellus was thoroughly angry now, 
however, and glared down upon the offend- 



ried in a 
player, 
ivent back 
, and re- 
I charge 

)ut can't," 
peare and 

our boys, 
1 striving 
Jock had 
is mouth, 
at despair- 
roved too 
prolonged 
ch forced 
ace. 
in a mo- 
linging to 
them and 
7 others in 
ly affected, 
am a look 
their com- 



(igry now, 
the offend- 



llAMLICK. 



869 



! 



ing Jock as if he were minded tt. add other 
words which Shakespeare might perhaps 
have used, but which he certainly had not 
incorporated in the tragedy. . 

In a moment he rushed from the stage, 
seized the book from the hands of the 
prompter, and, returning to his place read 
his part as the play was resumed. Then 
for a time all went well, and the eager boys 
found themselves looking forward to the 
time when " Ham lick " himself should 

^True to his part, in the second scene the 
hero appeared, and our boys were soon all 
listening attentively. Tom's first words 
were uttered in a voice that trembled, but 
he soon was master of himself and was 
eiving his mother that sage counsel which 
has done so much to make both her and 
him remembered. 

The king stalked about the stage with a 
crown that fairly glittered with jewels upon 
his head, and as for the queen, her gorgeous 
train was sadly in the way of Polonius and 
Laertes, and even " Hamlick" hiniself once 
trod upon it and received a look from her 
which well might have caused him to pause 
in his undutiful language. 



il 



f 



860 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

Marcellus, too, returned ; but this time he 
was equipped with a book, as well as with 
a sword, and though he followed the lines 
with his finger as he read, and seldom 
glanced at his companions, and once his 
words, "my good lord," were evidently 
misunderstood by his audience, still no 
further interruptions came until the Ghost 
once more joined the group. 

Then a fresh trouble arose. Just at the 
most impressive part, a long-drawn-out , 
sigh seemed to come from Ethan, who had 
remained quietly in his seat at the end of 
the bench. 

Marcellus had just been strongly warning 
Hamlet not to go with the untimely visitor, 
and Horatio had added, " No, by no means," 
when the sigh from Ethan's corner rose 
again, louder, longer, and more intense. 
All in the audience could hear it, and as 
it came once more our four boys glanced 
quickly at the boatman. 

His head was thrown back against the 
wall, his eyes were closed, and his mouth 
was wide open. It was evident that Ethan 
was sleeping. 

" It will not speak ; then I will follow it," 
Hamlet was just remarking on the stage. 



ENCE. 

lis time he 
ell as with 
I the lines 
ad seldom 
i once his 

evidently 
}, still no 

the Ghost 

ust at the i 
;-drawn-out ^ 
n, who had 
the end of 



HAMLICK. 



361 



" 0-o-o-h-h-h! " responded Ethan, in some- 
thing more pronounced now than a sigh^ 
His voice trembled and quavered, and 
seemed to gather force as on it went. 
" Wake him up, Jock," whispered Ben. 
"Stick a pin in him. He'll spoil the 
play," whispered Bert. _ 

Jock turned to shake the boatman hghtly 
and strive to restore him by gentle means, 
but liis efforts were not required ; for one ot 
the small bovs seated directly behmd Ethan 
acted promptly, and at once produced re- 
sults as startling as they were unexpected. 



r]y warning 
lely visitor, 
no means," 
3orner rose 
ire intense, 
it, and as 
jys glanced 



against the 
his month 
that Ethan 



11 follow it,' 
the stage. 




L . j .« y^iyr.i » ". ;! iwu^i ' .■ ■ . i iu ' j^ji ii .1 1 1 1 "j(j-A i ,. > j . ■ > i j uj 



CHAPTER XXIX. 



AFTER THE TRAGEDY. 



The mischievous lad had been one of 
those who had been regaling themselves 
during the performance with peanuts, and 
the mark which Ethan presented was more 
than his youthful spirit could resist. Lean- 
ing forward, he quickly dropped into the 
wide-open mouth of the slumbering boatman 
one of his choicest bits, and before Jock 
could touch the man, the explosion came. 

Ethan was instantly awake, and cough- 
ing, almost strangling, stared wildly about 
him. For a moment even the somewhat 
pessimistic views to which Hamlick was 
giving utterance on the stage were ignored 
by the audience, and the noisy boatman was 
the observed of all observers. 

His efforts were so violent that either 
strangulation or relief was bound to result, 
and as the latter came, Ethan turned sharply 
and looked behind him. The demure face 
of the lad who had been the means of his 



s 



ti one of 
lemselves 
luts, and 
ivas more 
;. Lean- 
into the 
boatman 
ore Jock 
came, 
d cough- 
lly about 
omewhat 
lick was 
I ignored 
man was 

it either 
to result, 
1 sharply 
nire face 
IS of his 



AFTER THE TRAGEDY. 



368 



somewhat sudden awakening did not even 
crlance at him, and after a brief pause Ethan 
solemnly resumed his seat, and Haml ick pro- 
ceeded with his misty surmisings. 

Perhaps the play by this time had gained 
full headway, and nothing could interfere 
with its progress. At all events, no further 
interruptions occurred, save those of a mmor 
character, and after a time the end came. 
The audience then solemnly filed out from 
the room, and soon few were left besides 
our party and those who had taken part m 

the play. , , 

In spite of the ludicrous events which had 
interfered somewhat with the solemiiity of 
the occasion, the boys were impressed with 
the amount of study which Tom and some 
of his companions had bestowed upon the 
parts assigned them. As Hamlick himself 
came forth from behind the scenes he was 
warmly greeted by Jock, and complimented 
upon the success he had attained. 

« And do you really think we did it all 
ric^ht?" inquired Tom, eagerly. ^^ 

° ' We have had a most enjoyable evemng, 
replied Bob, soberly. "I can't understand 
yet why it was that you selected such a 
play for a popular audience." 




864 CAMPING ON THE ST. LA WHENCE. 

" That was the schoolmaster's doings," said 
Tom. " I thought myself it was almost too 
difficult a piece ; but he told us to get some- 
thing good while we were at it, and some- 
thing it would pay us to remember, so we 
chose ' Hamlet.' We give something almost 
every year, you see. Last year we gave the 
trial scene from ' Pickwick Papers,' but the 
folks here didn't seem to see the fun in it. 
They took it all in sober earnest, and never 
laughed from the beginning to the end. So 
this year we thought we'd try something in 
the tragedy line." 

'' Where do you get all the books you 
read, Tom ? " inquired Bob. 

*' Some of them are in our school library 
and some the minister lends to us. We 
don't have very much besides history. I'm 
grateful to you," he added, turning to Bert 
as he spoke, " for hearing me speak my part 
up in the camp. It did me a sight of good." 

'' Don't mention it," said Bert, hurriedly. 

Tom's reading had become a serious mat- 
ter with our boys. His attainments had 
been so unlocked for, and, as far as the solid 
work was concerned, he had done so much 
more than they, that no one was inclined to 
belittle him now, no matter how much the 



\ 



i:nce. 

»ings," said 
almost too 
> get some- 
and soine- 
ber, so we 
ling almost 
^e gave the 
,'s,' but the 
e fun in it. 
and never 
e end. So 
mething in 

books you 

ool library 
3 us. We 
tory. I'm 
ing to Bert 
ik my part 
t of good." 
, hurriedly, 
srious mat- 
tnents had 
as the solid 
e so much 
inclined to 
iT much the 



AFTER TUB TRAGEDY. 



365 



young boatman's lack of familianty with 
L manners and customs of; city folks 

had impressed them upon their arrival at 

the camp. - . t • -q«a " 

«Heow was it? Pooty fair, I judge, 
said Ethan, who now approached the group, 
asking and answering his own question at 

the same time. 

" The young people are to be congiatu- 
lated upon the serious study they l^veg^^^en 
Shakespeare's masterpiece, said Mr. Claike, 
before any of the boys could reply. 

"Glad to hear ye say it," responded 
Ethan, who, in spite of his apparen con- 
tempt for Tom's studies, was nevertheless 
interested far more deeply than he cared to 
show "I don' know much abeout sech 
things myself," he continued. "I never 
read one C Dickens's plays, -r Shake 
speare's neither, for that "tatter. I had to 
work fur a livin' ^n my young days ; but 
Tom here, he has lots o' time, an. he ]ist 
keeps his nose in a book prf tty --li a 
.inter. What d'ye think o' it ? Will t 
do him any harm?" he inquired of Mr. 
Clarke, somewhat anxiously. 

« Not a bit, not a bit," replied Mr Clarke 
cordially. ''In fact, I think I know of 



f 



866 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

some young people who might profit by his 
example." 

*' I never did think there was sech a sight 
o' difference between city folks and country 
folks. Neow ye've seen this same perform- 
ance in the place where you live, I tak6 it ?" 

" Yes," replied Mr. Clarke. 

" An' ye really think the young folks 
here hev done it abeout as well as the folks 
down to New York, do ye ? " 

" There were differences, of course. You 
must expect that." 

" Of course ; of course," said Ethan, de- 
lightedly. "Mebbe ye'd like to go over to 
Mis' Brown's. The young folks have gone 
there. They're to have some ice cream, I 
b'lieve. 'Twon't cost ye much, fur it's only 
eight cents a dish, two fur fifteen." 

As it was not late, the invitation was 
eagerly accepted, an added zest being given 
when it was learned that the profits from 
the sale of the cream were to be added to 
those of the play, and that all were to be 
expended for the improvement of the walks 
in the little hamlet. The party accordingly 
made their way down the rough stairway 
and along the street, Tom having pre- 
viously left them, and soon arrived at " Mis' 



ENCE. 

rofit by his 

ech a sight 
nd country 
le perform- 
I take it?" 

Dung folks 
IS the folks 

urse. You 

Ethan, de- 
go over to 
have gone 
3e cream, I 
'ur it's only 
n." 

itation was 
being given 
►rofits from 
)e added to 
were to be 
►f the walks 
accordingly 
jh stairway 
laving pre- 
■ed at " Mis' 



AFTEn THE TRAGEDY. 



867 



Brown's," or the " Widow Brown's "as she 
wa. familiarly called by her neighbors. 
Her establishment was found to be a 
• «r,a A. small " store " was in the 

were seen iar» containing some toothsome, 
r:grappirent,yvene,able.sticKsofeanay^ 

Slat* pencils, a few forlorn articles of fancy 
wort" spooU of thread and such hke neces- 
Tes were the other parts of her stock m 
tl, but the sounds of revelry wh.h came 
from an inner room left no doubt m the 
Ss of the visitors a, to the place where 
L ice cream was to be had or as to he 
Tcupation which was then gomg on at the 

" mhan boldly led the way, and as the door 
w^ o^ned, two long tables were seen, upon 
Xh were dishes of the famous article or 
Zhioh our party had come, and upon which 
le" young folks" already there were feast- 
t The unexpected entrance brought a 
'2mu hush upon the room, ^^^^^^^^ 
fellow who was standing near the head ol 
one of the tables suddenly sank into h« 

"^^S's Tim Wynn," whispered Ejhan 
..He's been cuttin up for the young folk-. 




868 CAMPING Oy THE ST. LAWBENVE. 






.liji- 



I s'pose. He's awfully funny, an' they all 
like to have him 'round." 

" There doesn't seem to be any placo for 
us," suggested Mr. Clarke. " Perhaps we'd 
better not stop to-night." 

" I'll fix ye out in a minit," said Ethan, 
hastily. "Here's the widow, now. Mis' 
Brown, can't ye find a place for these folks ? 
They want some o' yer ice cream, an' every 
one counts neow. Mebbe they'll buy enough 
to get another plank or two for the walks." 

The hint was not to be lost, and speedily 
another table was prepared by placing two 
planks across some " horses," and as soon as 
chairs had been brought, the party all seated 
themselves and were speedily served, Ethan 
himself taking one of the chairs upon Mr. 
Clarke's invitation. 

Miss Bessie whispered to Ben, who was 
seated beside her, that " it wasn't ice cream 
at all, it was only frozen corn starch ; " but 
whatever the name may have been, the 
dishes were speedily cleared, Ethan's dis- 
appearing the most rapidly of all, as with 
heaping spoonfuls he swallowed the treat, 
apparently unmindful of its chilling tem- 
perature. 

" I guess ye don't get nothin' better'n that 



IVE. 

they all 

placo for 
aps we'd 

i Ethan, 
V. Mis' 
se folks? 
1.11' every 
y enough 
! walks." 
speedily 
iing two 
) soon as 
11 seated 
d, Ethan 
ipon Mr. 

vho was 
36 cream 
h ; " but 
een, the 
m's dis- 
as with 
le treat, 
ng tem- 

sr'n that 



AFTER THE TRAOEDY. 



869 



deown to New York," he remarked with 
satisfaction, as he glanced up at Mr Clarke. 
" We never have anything just like this, 
replied Mr. Clarke, kindly. "Have some 

more, Ethan?" . j •* t ^^ ;f 

" Thank ye, sir. I don mmd if I do, it 
it's all the same to you. Here ! " he sud- 
denly added, as if he had been struck with 
a sudden thought, " there's some lemingade, 
too. It's only three cents a cup, and i H 
stand treat for the crowd." 

"Permit me," said Mr. Clarke, quickly, 
and " lemingade " was at once added to the 
replenished dishes. 

« Your young people are to be congratu- 
lated, Ethan," said Mr. Clarke, when all at 
last arose from the table. " You have quite 
a good-sized fund for your village improve- 
ments. Have you any idea how much they 

have made ? " , n • ^ „^* 

« I don't s'pose they can teU jest yet. 
Prob'ly fifteen or twenty dollars." 

" You can add this to the sum, with my 
compliments, then," said Mr. Clarke, as he 
slipped a ten dollar bill into the astonished 
boatman's hand. ... ^ ^ 

Almost too surprised by the gift to ex- 
press his thanks, Ethan responded to their 



^ 



I 



it 



IP 



870 CAMPINO ON TUE ST. LAWHHNCK. 

"good nisht," and the party at once de- 
parted for their yacht. 

It was a glorious summer evening they 
discovered wlien the boat moved out from 
the dock and began to speed over the silent 
river. In the moonlight the rushing wa- 
ters glimmered like silver, and the low-lying 
shores cast shadows which were reflected 
almost as in the light of day. The silent 
stars twinkled in the clear heavens, and the 
air of eternal peace seemed to rest over all. 
The young people were enjoying them- 
selves too keenly to be silent long even 
amidst such surroundings, and as the ex- 
periences of the evening were recounted, 
in every way so novel and different from 
anything they had ever seen before, their 
laughter rang out over the great river, and 
seemed to be caught up and sent flying by 
the very rocks and shores which they passed. 
At last Miss Bessie started a song : " And 
every little wave has his night-cap on," and 
for a time all other things were forgotten ; 
while Mr. and Mrs. Clarke joined in the 
spirit of the frolic as if they, too, were as 
young as their young companions. 

Altogether the evening had been such an 
enjoyable one that it was almost with a 



X 



KNVK. 

L once de- 

ning they 
I out from 
the silent 
ishing wa- 
3 low-lying 
e reflected 
The silent 
[IS, and the 
st over all. 
>'ing tlieni- 
long even 
as the ex- 
recounted, 
erent from 
sfore, their 
; river, and 
t flying by 
hey passed. 
>ng : " And 
ip on," and 
! forgotten ; 
ned in the 
00, were as 

IS. 

sen such an 
lost with a 



AFTEU THE TUAOEnY. 



371 



feeling of di.sappointment that the boys at 
last perceived in the distance the white 
tents on Pine Tree Island. The songs had 
ceased now, and Bob said : — 

" Mr. Clarke, I meant to have asked you 
to tell us the rest of that story about the 
pirate of the St. Lawrence." 

"Who? Bill Johnston?" asked Mr. 

Clarke. 

'* Yes, I believe that was his name. 

" Oh, well, that story will keep until next 

time. 

"Yes. but the summer is almost gone 
now, and there won't be many 'next 
times.' We'll be going home soon." 

" Not for some weeks yet, I trust. Sep- 
tember is the most glorious of all the 
months on the river. When the leaves 
begin to turn, and the nights are so cool 
that you need a fire on the hearth in your 
cottage, and the air is so bracing that it is 
a delight just to breathe it, and the ducks 
begin to come, and you can vary your fish- 
ing with gunning, why, that's the best time 
of all the year. My nearest neighbors have 
even stayed here all winter, once or twice.'' 
"It must be a wild sight here then," 
suggested Jock. " When the ice is so thick 




ll 



872 CAMI'iyO ON TIIK ST. LAWRENCE. 

yo\i can drive over it witli a horse and 
sleigh, and the wind sweeps down the river 
at the rate of sixty miles an hour, it must 
be great fun to be here, and feel that you've 
got a good warm snug place, and can still 

see it all. " 

" Better to see it than feel it, I fancy," 
laughed Mr. Clarke. " I enjoy the river as 
nuich as any one, but I know where to draw 
the line. Still, if I could bottle up some of 
the September air and take it back to town 
with me, to use when occasion demanded, 
I should not object." 

Miss Bessie and Ben had been taking no 
part in the general conversation, apparently 
being much more interested in one of their 

own. 

" I want to ask you a question," she had 
said to Ben, who was seated next to her. 

" Say on," responded Ben. " I'm all 

ears." 

" Not quite all," replied the girl, glanc- 
ing at Ben's long form as she spoke. " But 
what I want to know is whether you are 
really going to enter the canoe races next 
week?" 

"Why?" 

"Because." 



AFTEIt THE THAUKDY. 



878 



ENCE. 

horse and 
n the river 
ur, it must 
that you've 
id can atill 

;, I fancy," 
the river as 
ere to draw 
up some of 
ick to town 
demanded, 

1 taking no 
, apparently 
one of their 



in," she had 
Kt to her. 
"I'm all 



girl, glanc- 
)oke. "But 
her you are 
) races next 



" Oh, well, I'll have to tell you, you have 
such good reasons for asking. No one in 
the world, or at least in the camp, knows it ; 
but 1 am going in." 
" Aren't you afraid ? " 
"Afraid of what?" 

«'0h, of falling into the water, or being 
beaten, ar I don't know what." 
■ "That remains to be seen," said Ben, sit- 
ting suddenly erect. " Now one good turn is 
said to deserve another, so as you've had a 
turn at me, I'll take mine now." 
" What do you mean ? " 
" Are you going into the races ? " 
" Yes," replied Miss Bessie, after a brief 
hesitation. " That is, if my father is will- 
ing ; but I don't want you to tell any one 
about it, either." 

" Madam, I shall be silent. Do you recall 
the words of the immortal 'Hamlick' to- 
night on that subject ? " 
" No. What were they ? " 

" < Let us go in together ; 
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.' " 

" Agreed," responded Miss Bessie. " I'll 
not tell about you, and you're not to tell 
about me." 






If 



if c 



87 1 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

" Oh you'll not tell," retorted Ben. '' I 
never saw a girl yet who would do thaV" 

The conversation was suddenly inter- 
rupted, for the yacht was now approaching 
the dock. To the surprise of the boys, 
they discovered that sotne one was in the 
camp, and hastily bidding their friends 
good night, they all turned and ran swiftly 
toward the tents. 



'iW'' 

m 



Si 



ii'l 



llji'i'' 
ii'iiii 

liili 



^ENCE. 

I Ben. "I 
do tha';." 
lenly inter- 
ipproaching 
f the boys, 

was in the 
lieir friends 

ran swiftly 



CHAPTER XXX. 

ben's discovert. 

It is doubtful whether Pine Tree Island, 
since the days when the red men had dwelt 
upon its shores, had heard such a shout as 
went up from our boys when they discov- 
ered that the visitor was Jock's father. 
When the lad learned that his mother was 
at Alexandria Bay, and that she and his 
father had come from New York that very 
day, nothing would satisfy him but to re- 
turn to the hotel. 

Before they departed, Jock's father ex- 
plained that he had come over to the camp 
in the early evening with a boatman, but 
when he discovered that no one was there, 
he had decided to remain until they re- 
turned. As it was now after ten o'clock, 
he had begun to feel somewhat uneasy ; but 
the fact that all were gone, and that every- 
thing about the camp seemed to be m good 
order, had led him to believe that they 

376 




m 



is 



376 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

could be in no danger, at all events, and so 
he had waited until the time when his 
patience had been amply rewarded. 

After the messages from the other homes 
had been delivered, and Mr. Cope had sat- 
isfied himself that all were well, he said, 
" I think we'd uetter go back to the hotel 
now, my boy. Your mother will be uneasy 
about me, to say nothing of you." 

" Do you think it will be snfe for Jock to 
go ? " inquired Bob, soberly. 

"Safe? Why, yes. Why shouldn't it 

be safe ? " 

" Oh, I don't know. We've been living 
here in primitive style, you know, and 
whether Jock will remember how to behave 
is a question." 

" It's time he reviewed his lessons, then," 
was the reply. "Good night, boys," he 
added, as he started toward the dock. 

The campers followed Jock and his father 
to the dock, and as they were about to put 
off, Bob called out, " I say, Jock, don't for- 
get to use your fork when you go into the 
dining room to-morrow." 

" I'll try not to," promised Jock. 

"And if I'm not mistaken they have 
napkins there, too." 



RENCE. 

ents, and so 
e when his 
ied. 

other homes 
ope had sat- 
ell, he said, 
to the hotel 
ill be uneasy 

3 for Jock to 

shouldn't it 

s been living 

know, and 

ow to behave 

jssons, then," 
it, boys," he 
e dock, 
and his father 
about to put 
ick, don't for- 
u go into the 

Jock. 

3n they have 



ben's discovert. 



377 



« Good night, fellows. I'll see you in 
the morning," called Jock ; and the skiff 
soon disappeared in the darkness. 

Few words were spoken by the remain- 
ing campers that night as they prepared 
for bed. Perhaps the presence of Jock's 
father, and the eagerness of their friend to 
see his mother, may have produced similar 
longings in their own hearts ; but if it was 
so, no one referred to them, and soon the 
great pile of logs was sending its ruddy 
glow over the shadows of the silent river, 
and the sounds which came from the tent 
indicated that any possible feeling of home- 
sickness had at least been forgotten for the 

time. , c n • 

When Bert awoke early m the following 
morning, he speedily discovered that he was 
alone in the tent. As he dressed himself 
hastily, and ran forth toward the bank of 
the river, he discovered the long form of 
Ben paddling in his canoe not far away, 
but Bob was nowhere to be seen. 

It was such an unusual occurrence for 
Bob to be awake so early in the morning 
that the sturdy Bert was at a loss to ac- 
count for his absence. As a rule. Bob was 
the last to appear for breakfast, and not 



378 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



infrequently a dash of cold water had been 
required to make him fully aware of the 
hour ; and now to find him gone was, to 
say the least, surprising. 

Ethan and Tom arrived, but still Bob 
did not appear. Ben came in from his 
daily taak, but he, too, had not seen the 
missing Bob, and declared that he had left 
him sleeping in the tent when he himself 
had departed. The absence certainly was 
strange, and the boys were just beginning 
to feel uneasy as to the missing boy's 
whereabouts, when the lad in question was 
seen approaching the camp. But he was 
coming from among the trees, and his eager 
friends hailed him with the question, — 
" Where have you been, Bob ? " 
" Out taking a peep at the rising sun." 
" You've been taking more than that," 
exclaimed Ben, quickly, as he perceived 
that Bob's garments were all dripping wet. 
" You've been in the water." 

" The early dew is heavy here," replied 
Bob, evasively, as he turned to the tent to 
change his clothing. 

It was evident that Bob did not intend* 
to disclose the purpose of his early rising, 
and Ben's suspicions were at once aroused. 



rRENCE. 

ter had been 
ware of the 
5one was, to 

it still Bob 
in from his 
lot seen the 
tr he had left 
1 he himself 
ertainly was 
st beginning 
issing boy's 
question was 
But he was 
md his eager 
estion, — 

ising sun." 
than that," 
lie perceived 
Iripping wet. 

ere," replied 
the tent to 

i not intend* 

early rising, 

jnce aroused. 



BEN'S DISCOVERY. 

He concluded that his friend was practising 
for the race in which he hnnself was to 
enter He did not refer to Ins surmise. 
Tow ver, and in a few minutes Bob came 

forTh and took his seat at the table with 

his friends. • i 

Soon after breakfast. Joek, accompan ed 

by his father and mother, --et"™^ *°J^ 
camp and the greeting which Mr. Cope 
rr his old sch^lfellow, Ethan, was one 
Twch warmed the heart of that worthy 

'"ought mebbe ye-d forgotten yer old 
friends since ye've got so rich," said Ethan, 

■^■^f Forgotten ttom? Why, man, they're 
the best part of my life. I've a painting 
of the old red schoolhonse hanging in my 
dming room, and I never see it without 
Sng of the boys and girls who were 
"years ago, and the good tmies we 

used to have." , . ,„ 

^.Gotapicturofit? ^e don't say so! 
exclaimed Ethan, in surprise. Well, i 
never thought nobody'd want a pictur o 

Zl place. Ifs most gone to 'a^k - "^n 
now I'm afeard we'll have to fix .t up 

purty quick or it'll fall down o itself. 




380 CAMPING ON THE 8T. LAWRENCE. 

" That's too bad ; I should think the dis- 
trict would keep it in repair." 

"The deestrict hain't got no money. The 
only folks hereabouts what has any money 
are mostly those who've gone off deown to 
New York. Seems as if 'most any fool 
could make money deown there. The' say 
as how Homer Perkins's boy has gone 
deown there, an' is a-gettin' a dollar an' a 
half a day the whole year through, an' all 
he has to do is to drive a boss car." 

Mr. Cope laughed as he replied, "I'm 
telling you the truth, Ethan, when I say I 
never worked so hard in my life as I do 
now. I used to pick up stones on the old 
farm, and haul and chop wood, and get up 
at four o'clock in the morning and milk 
eight or ten cows before breakfast, and then 
carry the milk to the factory, and that was 
before the day's work was supposed to have 
begun ; but all that's as nothing compared 
with the way I have to work now." 

Ethan was evidently incredulous, and 
said, "What time do ye get up in the 
mornin' now ? " 

" About eight o'clock." 
" And I s'pose ye don't get down to yer 
store till abeout nine ? " 



t 



WRENCE. 

think the dis- 

money. The 
IS any money 

off deown to 
lost any fool 
ire. The' say 
oy has gone 
I dollar an' a 
irough, an' all 
! car." 
replied, "I'm 

when I say I 
/ life as I do 
les on the old 
)d, and get up 
ing and milk 
:fast, and then 
, and that was 
)posed to have 
ling compared 

now." 

iredulous, and 
;et up in the 



st down to yer 



BEN'S DISCOVERT. 



881 



« I usually go down to the office about 

that time." „ 

« An' when do ye shut up f 

"Anywhere from half-past four to six 

" An' ye call that workin' harder 'n ye did 
on the old stone hill farm, do ye?" 

" Yes, a good deal harder. It's true I 
used to get tired and go to bed some mghts 
Lling fs if every bone in my body ached 
but I would go to sleep right away and for- 
ge it all, and' next morning I'd be all ready 

for another day. Now I have to carry my 
load day and night, and there is no escape^ 
I have hundreds, yes, thousands, of men 
dependent on me. When hard times come 
and it sometimes seems to me that they 
come pretty often, I carry a good many o 
these men through just for the sake of their 

families, and when good times come they 
seem to forget all about it, and some of 
them are always ready to make trouble. 
There are times, Ethan, when it seems 
to me my load is heavier than I can 
bear. I almost never have a day ott, 
and sometimes I long to return to the 
old farm, and am hungry for its peace 

^"""rguess there ain't nuthin' to hinder 



r 



382 CAMPINU ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ye from coinin' back if ye want to," 
grunted Ethan. "The old place is for 
sale, an' 'twon't cost over twenty-five or 
thirty dollars an acre. Ye can stand that 
much, can't ye? Yer boy here says he 
guesses ye' re worth more 'n five thousand 
dollars." 

Mr. Cope's cheeks flushed slightly, and 
he glanced reprovingly at Jock ; but evi- 
dently wishing to change the subject, he 
said, "I fancy, Ethan, that most of the 
boys and girls who used to go to school 
with us are gone now." 

" Pretty much." 

"What's ever become of Hiram Munsell? 
Hi Munsell we called him." 

"Oh, he went out to the state o' Mil- 
waukee. He's got rich too, they say." 

" Went where ? " 

" The state o' Milwaukee. He's a police- 
man an' gets a thousan' dollars a year, or 
leastwise that's what the report is. You 
know as much as I do about whether it's 
true or not. I hev my doubts, myself. Hi 
always was one to stretch it pooty good, as 
you may recommember yerself ." 

Mr. Cope glanced again reprovingly at 
the boys, who for some strange reason 



4 WRENCE. 

ye want to," 
\ place is for 
twenty-five or 
can stand that 
here says he 
five thousand 

\ slightly, and 
lock ; but evi- 
ihe subject, he 
t most of the 
o go to school 



lirain Munsell? 

e state o' Mil- 
they say." 

He's a police- 
liars a year, or 
'eport is. You 
ut whether it's 
its, myself. Hi 
, pooty good, as 
jlf." 

reprovingly at 
strange reason 



ben's discovery. 

anwared to be highly delighted at the ref- 
tr^ce to the" state "t-, which the wealthy 

Hi had gone, and said quickly, — 

'well, Ethan, I want to talk over old 
times with you so.ne more, and 1 want ^o 
„o over to the old schoolhouse too bu 
rm to have only a day or two tere..™d 1 
fancy the boys are more interested m my 
pntlg that to good use than they are m 
'„: reminiscences, so ii youre a^-eed - « 
try the sport !or a time. Can you t^ke us 

'ir^iouded that he could, and when 
the two skiffs were made ready it was dis- 
e^verld that Bob was not to go with them, 
Zsaid nothing, though his suspicions were 
at once aroused, and at A-' '-'^"^^X 
inclined to remain m camp; but Jo^^/ ?;' 
dent disappointment was so marked ha he 
hastily recalled his words, and said that he 
ttu d go, maWng one pi^viso, that he should 
be permitted to take his canoe with h.m. 

Mrlcope was to remain in the camp, 
dedaring Lt she wished to look after 
^me of the belongmgs of the boys, which 
shTsaid were in a " sad state," though ju t 
^Lt she meant by the expression she d^ 
not explain, and that she was not m the 




r 



384 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



least afraid of being lonesome. The party 
soon set forth in the skiffs, from one of 
which Ben's ever present canoe was towed, 
and Ethan directed the way to a spot where 
none of them had as yet been. Mr. Cope 
apparently was most enthusiastic of all. 
Whatever may have been his inability to 
cast aside his pressing problems when he 
was at home, here certainly they were not 
to be found, and he entered into the sport 
with all the zest of the boys themselves. 

Their former successes in no way seemed 
to interfere with the eagerness of the campers 
ia the present experience, and when at last 
Ethan and Tom rowed ashore to prepare 
dinner, they had all had a degree of success 
which corresponded with their most ardent 
desires. 

After dinner the sport was resumed, but 
about the middle of the afternoon Ethan 
rowed ^is skiff close in to the other, and 
Mr. Cope called out : " Boys, we've decided 
to land over here and go up to the old 
schoolhouse, which isn't more than a mile 
and a half from the shore. Jock wants 
to go; and if you would like to go too, 
we should be glad to have you. What do 
you say ? " 



WHENCE. 

e. The party 
, from one of 
oe was towed, 
) a spot where 
n. Mr. Cope 
nastic of all. 
IS inability to 
ems when he 
they were not 
nto the sport 
hemselves. 
way seemed 
of the campers 
i when at last 
ire to prepare 
jree of success 
ir most ardent 

) resumed, but 
ernoon Ethan 
;he other, and 
we've decided 
ap to the old 
e than a mile 
Jock wants 
ke to go too, 
ou. What do 



BEN'S DISCOVERY. 



m& 



Ben looked at Bert a moment and ^.^ 
J "Thank you, Mr. Cope, Bert would 
like to go and so should I, but I ought to 

'TiS Wt anything wrong, only I've 

BO back, and leave yon all he.e anyw y 
1 didn't «ant to break up your sporty „ 
.. He wants to write a letter, I gue», 
■ «,idJpck. "Well, Bert, you eome along, 
andletBengobaektfhewan^to^ 

?r:r::::e\r»:';:tdtbe 

ra:r bU eo.par^;,;';;^^ ^^^ - 
.i,H the -»-'„'*,, tr^ait, but hoist- 
Lf «e «„ to speed over the 
Zr^n the direction ^PjneJ-W^^^^^^^ 

What the urgent duty was wiui. 
J!:; hi. to^epart fro. hU jn- 

ions became apparent when he W»*^ 
within a halt mile of the camp. He then 
Cered his sail and carefully scanned the 

'Tp^rtly :«ed with the inspection, 



ao 



aSti CAMPINII ON rUK ST. LAWliKSVK. 

he took his paildU' and began to scud tho 
light, (!iinoo swiftly over the wati- , hut 
instead of making his way to the vi<jck he 
paddled around to the opposite side of the 
island. 

There he landed, and lifting his canoe, 
bore it up the shoie and carefully con- 
cealed it among the bushes. Satisfied that 
he had not been seen, he cautiously made 
his way toward the shore of a sheltered 
bay not far away. As soon as he had 
arrived at a place from which the waters 
of the bay could be seen, he halted for a 
moment an4 peered cautiously about him. 

Evidently iiot satisfied with what he 
saw, he began to advance again, stepping 
carefully from tree to tree, and at last 
arrived at a sheltered spot from which he 
could see both the shore and bay. Instantly 
he was deeply interested in something he 
there discovered, for he peered farther out 
from behind the tree, and watched Bob, 
who now could be seen near the shore. 

"The rascal! He thought he'd fool us 
all," muttered Ben, as Vi watched his 
friend, who plainly was unaware that his 
actions were observed. 

" What's that he's doing ? " he suddenly 



1 n'HKycK. 

i,n to sf»nd the 
le wat'- , but 
D the liock he 
ite 8ide of the 

ing his canoe, 
carefully con- 
Satisfied that 
lutiously made 
if a sheltered 
»n as he had 
ch the waters 
3 halted for a 
sly about him. 
vith what he 
,gain, stepping 
!, and at last 
:rom which he 
)ay. Instantly 
something he 
ed farther out 
watched Bob, 
kr the shore, 
it he'd fool us 
! watched his 
aware that his 



bkn'h discovery. 



m 



added. "If that doesn't beat anything I 
ever saw before ! " . 

So interested was Ben that he remamed 
in the secluded s])ot for more than an hour, 
watching the movements of B<.b, who was 
in sight all the time. Occasionally the 
watching Ben almost laughed aloud, and 
frequently uttered exclamations expressive 
of his astonishment or pleasure, -any one 
who might have heard him could hardly 
have told which, -but at last he retraced 
his way through the woods to the spot 
where he had left his canoe. 

Speedily embarking, he ddled back 
around the island, and soon afterward 
approached the dock; and the first person 
he discerned there wa^ Bob himself , seated 
on the edge and lazil) swingmg his feet out 
over the water. 



?" he suddenly 



f 

i 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



THE RACES. 

Ben did not refer to his discovery, and 
after he had explained the reasons why he 
had returned alone to the camp he joined 
Mrs. Cope, who was seated in a camp-chair 
on the high bluff, and delightedly watching 
the constantly shifting scene which the great 
river presented. The pleasure Jock's mother 
felt in the marked improvement in her son's 
appearance was certainly shared by his two 
friends, and Bob demurely remarked that 
he even had hopes that Ben and Bert would 
also " improve," a wish which Ben laugh- 
ingly declared was destined to be blighted. 

As the shadows of evening began to ap- 
pear, the return of the absent members of 
the party at once drew the attention of all 
to them, and while Ethan and Tom prepared 
supper, Mr. Cope described his visit to the 
old schoolhouse, and the enjojonent. he had 
experienced in revisiting the scenes of his 

388 



^ 



TEE BACE8. 



389 



icovery, and 
sons why he 
p he joined 

camp-chair 
ly watching 
ch the great 
)ck's mother 

in her son's 
I by his two 
larked that 

Bert would 

Ben laugh- 
e blighted, 
legan to ap- 
members of 
sntion of all 
)m prepared 
visit to the 
ent. he had 
;enes of his 



u v..n^ His wife declared that she be- 

.pints ^'io' '\^^J^H^i enthusiastic. 

v,ai\ «»ppn him so animaieu cm^ 

Jt IsEthan announced that supper w^ 
Just »' «» approaching the docli, 

ready, a skiii "*'f^" ' 'l„„^ „ith several 

*"' ' Twhth M -CW le£t word at 

friend, and when the telegrams had been 

"^it!le''ye haven't had any bad news, 

^°Mr Cope laughed as he replied, "Rather 
bal or me, I L. I sh^l have ^ Mum 
to New York to-night. Jou see, Ettan^l 
can't have more than a day off. I almost 

'"7.rtCX"eword h> the t.1. 

ness engagements.'' ^^ ,^ 

« Bus'ness exclaimed Mhan . ^ " 
s-po^anyone ever telegraphed M about 
hW^er I thought nobody ever telegraphed 
busness. j-i-u^ug ui Perkins once 

unless somebody was dead. HiFerkmso 



i! 



i| 

111 
1 :9 



Eli 



I'll 
tit 



390 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

telegraphed to his ma when he thought he 
was goin' to die with the pewniony ; but it 
costs four shillin' for ten words, I'm told. 
Must be mighty important business what 
would make anybody send ye five or six on 
'em." 

"It is important; so important that I 
shall have to go back to the Bay and start 
for home to-night. I'm sorry, too. But 
then, if a business man doesn't have very 
much outside pleasure in life, his wife and 
children can have it, and he must take his 
in knowing that." 

Soon after supper Mr. Cope bade good-by 
to the boatman and boys, and with Mrs. 
Cope and Jock departed for Alexandria Bay. 
Jock was to remain at the hotel for the 
night, but was to return to the camp in 
the morning, though his mother was to stay 
at the hotel until the boys should be ready 
to break camp and go home with her. 

Apparently Jock's mother enjoyed the 
experience of the days which followed as 
much as did the boys themselves. Every 
day she was rowed over to Pine Tree Island, 
and sometimes the boys were persuaded to 
return with her for a dinner at the hotel, 
or to be present of an evening when some- 



^., 



I WHENCE. 

he thought he 
vniony ; but it 
ards, I'm told, 
business what 
i five or six on 

jortant that I 
Bay and start 
rry, too. But 
su't have very 
e, his wife and 
must take his 

»e bade good-by 
and with Mrs. 
Jexandria Bay. 
I hotel for the 
3 the camp in 
her was to stay 
ihould be ready 
with her. 
jr enjoyed the 
ch followed as 
iselves. Every 
ine Tree Island, 
re persuaded to 
ir at the hotel, 
ing when some- 



THE RACES. 



891 



thing of special interest was occurring in the 

%r' friends, the Clarkes, also did much 
to add to the pleasure, for with their yacht 
they made various trips among the islands, 
or planned for picnics which were a never 
failing source of delight to all. 

At last came the great day of the canoe 
races, and as it had been arranged that all 
the friends should go on Mr. Clarke s yacht 
to the place selected, and take a position on 
the river from which the races could be 
seen from beginning to end, the occasion 
had been looked forward to with great 

anticipations. 

When the happy party stopped at the 
dock for Mrs. Cope and the boys, the 
greetings were unusually enthusiastic, for 
a more perfect day had not been seen 
since the campers had come to Pme Iree 

'a few masses of silver clouds could be 
seen in the sky, but the sun was shimng 
clear and strong. A gentle breeze ruffled 
the surface of the river, and the air was 
delightfully cool and bracing. Life was in- 
deed worth living now, and as the light- 
hearted members of the party assembled on 



lii 

i 



392 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

board the yacht, their laughter and joyous 
expressions seemed all a part of the aay. 

When Ben quietly picked up his canoe 
and olaced that too on board, a shout greeted 
him '; but as all already knew that he was 
determined to enter the contest, for he pre- 
viously had entered his name, no one was 
surprised ; but when, a moment later. Bob 
came, bringing with him a dress-suit case, 
evidently heavily laden, a fresh shout of 
surprise was given him. 

"Oh, I knew Ben would fall into the 
water," he declared, " so I have brought a 
change of clothing for him. I'm very ten- 
der-hearted. It's my nature, though, and 
I can't help it, so you needn't bestow any 

praise on me." 

" I shouldn't be surprised if you needed 
a change yourself," rejoined Ben, " before 
you've finished your race." 

« Whom are you talking about ? " de- 
manded Bob, in surprise. " I haven't had 
any time to practise. I've been too busy." 

«I know all about your busy-ness," re- 
torted Ben, sharply. 

Bob glanced up quickly, but Ben was 
looking out over the river now, and it was 
impossible to catch his eye. The yacht 



tip 



WHENCE. 

er and joyous 
of the day. 
up his canoe 
I shout greeted 
w that he was 
est, for he pre- 
le, no one was 
ent later, Bob 
iress-suit case, 
fresh shout of 

fall into the 
lave brought a 

I'm very ten- 
e, though, and 
n't bestow any 

if you needed 
d Ben, " before 



y about?" de- 

' I haven't had 

been too busy." 

busy-ness," re- 

, but Ben was 
now, and it was 
^e. The yacht 



THE HACKS. 



398 



^«« free from the dock by this time, and 

^ -j^v,* tVint thev too had staitea lor 

was evident that tney ''^ vovage 

the same destination, and as the voyage 
the same ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^, 

r r Ld C-es, skiffs, steam-yachts, 
rches, sailboats, aU were there^^^^^^^^^^ 
AraDed with bright colors, all displaying 
fllg. and every one carrying eage^hearted 
Jctators who were acting as if Ue never 
had known a care or sorrow. 

'--"™rw:rtrh":rs 

rcrsT *err Mr. Clarke ^nse. 
leoted a favorable place and hi. yacht was 

"BeTnow prepared to take hi. canoe and 
.t^ foT Z head of the course, where 
Sihose who were to participate were to 
ZX. A» he lowered the ca^oe m^ 
the water. Bob approached him, and .aid 

"'irterngowithyou.Ben. I've got 



> 



394 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

your clothes here, and you'll need some one 
to look after you. I'm the kind-hearted 
friend to do that very thing." 

" 1 wfis expecting you to say that," 
replied Ben. " I was wondering why you 
didn't speak up before. Where's your craft, 

Bob?" 

" My craft ! Why, I haven't any here, 
and you know it ; " but a peculiar twinkle 
in Ben's eye caused him to approach, and 
a whispered conversation at once followed. 

No one of the others could hear what 
was said, but the result was apparent 
when Ben consented to his friend's going 
with him, and in a brief time both boys 
were in the canoe, and Ben was ready to 

push off. 

"You'll not forget that we have some 
luncheon on board, boys," called Miss Bes- 
sie. " You'll surely be back in time to have 
some of that." 

"Don't be alarmed," laughed Ben. "I 
never knew Bob to be late for anything of 
that kind. I trust you have enough ; for 
he'll be hungry, I can promise you." 

A cheer followed the boys as Ben dipped 
his paddle in the water, and. the canoe 
darted forward under his powerful strokes. 



> 



IVREyCE. 

leed some one 
kind-hearted 

o say that," 
ring why you 
re's your craft, 

en't any here, 
iculiar twinkle 
approach, and 
mce followed, 
lid hear what 
was apparent 
friend's going 
ime both boys 
was ready to 

we have some 
tiled Miss Bes- 
in time to have 

5hed Ben. " I 
[or anything of 
ire enough ; for 
se you." 
3 as Ben dipped 
and. the canoe 
)werful strokes. 



THE RACES. 



896 



Hi. long form wa. not particularly graceful 
buJthe'speedof lus canoe promised well,and 

Jock turned to the others ""^ ^^;^; ' 

- 1 shouldn't be surprised if Ben did get 
a plal: in the finals to-day. He's impr^^^^^^ 
wonderfully. The way he has kept at it is 
rietono'rusall. I wish he might win. 
I wonder what Bob really went with him 
Lr' Do you know I half suspect he s got 

a scheme of some kind of his own. 

No one replied, for ^^^ ^^T ^[^J^, 

was now heard, and the first of the races 

wa be^un. It was a contest between cat- 

r.r and as the beautiful little crafts 

replito sight and dipped low before ^e 

srrong and favoring breeze, the shrill whis- 
t s of the steam-yachts, the wavmg of 
hlkerchiefs, and the shouts of the people 

"iTnf ott our party was acquainted 
wifh Zy of the participants in this race, 
Thtr tnferest naturally was not as keen as 
t was to be in some of the contests which 
teTto follow, but they nevertheless were 
rihusiastic observers of the -nceuvre-^^^ 
the skilfully handled boats. On they came, 
teping weU in lino, their white sails and 
whTter'sides glistening in the sunlight, and 



f 



J596 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

presenting a wondrously beautiful spectacle 
as they swept down the river. 

As Mr. Clarke now discovered that most 
of the yachts were not anchored, but were 
free to follow the contestants outside the 
buoys, he, too, took his anchor on board and 
steamed down the river so that they could 
watch the boats all the way. The shores 
of the islands were lined with interested 
spectators, and the waving of bunting, and 
the cheers of the people, as the fleet boats 
approached, redoubled. 

A.t last the stake was turned, and the 
boats started on the home stretch. They 
were not bunched as they had been, but 
three had gained over their rivals, and, well 
together, were tacking and striving each to 
«5ain an advantage over the others. It could 
be seen now that one was more skilfully 
handled than the other two, and soon it 
was distinctly gaining upon both. On and 
on they came, and finally the ITiistle, bend- 
ing gracefully before the breeze, swept first 
across the line, the men on board swinging 
their caps and shouting in their delight, 
while the screams of the whistles and the 
cheers of the spectators sounded shrilly in 
response. It certainly was a very inspiring 



> 



WHENCE. 

tiful spectacle 

red that most 
)red, but were 
,s outside the 
on board and 
lat they could 
. The shores 
ith interested 
: bunting, and 
Lhe fleet boats 

rned, and the 
stretch. They 
had been, but 
ivals, and, well 
triving each to 
hers. It could 
more skilfully 
o, and soon it 
both. On and 
e Thistle, bend- 
leze, swept first 
board swinging 
. their delight, 
histles and the 
inded shrilly in 
% very inspiring 



TIJE RACES. 



397 



J „„^ r>v.pprinir as lustily m mt^" 

rr'as" ttlTen one of their own 
tmtn rwho had secured the first pme 
"7 rl between canoes equ.pped -th 
dole bavwinged sails «oi owed <.nd t^ 
stirring scene was again enacted. The wn« 
t e "blew and banners were waved and the 
ties "^'"w , tjiy cheered as the 

wmmng boa^t w*' ^^ g,,, „;„test had been. 
"ThlfX^l a contest between canoes 

"C—ent on the yacht very J* 
edly increased when it was learned that the 
next race was to be between canoes w>th 

nn'Cror:'beanti£nl little canoes 
.Mcht^k their places in lin. Bens ong 

Torm could be easily distmgn.shed. as the 

^-^ ''^Tanl'dSrd^rran^tS 
r^lCtwtrclp in response, al^^st 

Soyed his balance, and was very nearly 
- thrown into the river. 



a98 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

There was no diapo.sitioii among hia 
friends to laugh now, and the girls uttered 
a little cry of dismay at the threatened 
mishap; but as Ben speedily regained hia 
balance, they all became silent as they 
watched him intently. His long arms were 
bare, and his bright red sweater was to be 
easily distinguished in the line. In a mo- 
ment the pistol sounded, and the racers 
were off. 

There were seven contestants, and their 
paddles struck the water together. For a 
few minutes the line was almost unbroken ; 
then it could be seen that three or four were 
pulling ahead of their rivals, and among the 
number was Ben. Faster and faster swept 
the frail little barks, and the interest of the 
spectators was evidently much keener than it 
had been in the other contests. The forms 
of the paddlers seemed to move like clock- 
work. The paddles were dipped rapidly and 
steadily, and the race between the leaders 
was very close. Slowly Ben gained upon 
his nearest rival and passed him, and then, 
with longer, swifter strokes, strove to gain 
upon the two who were still in advance of 
him. 

Inch by inch, foot by foot, the distance 




> 



HENCE. 

among hia 
^irls littered 
! threatened 
regained his 
Bnt as they 
ig arms were 
Br was to be 
2. In a mo- 
l the racers 

ts, and their 

ther. For a 

st unbroken ; 

or four were 

id among the 

faster swept 

iterest of the 

:eener than it 

The forms 

re like clock- 

d rapidly and 

1 the leaders 

gained upon 

im, and then, 

trove to gain 

n advance of 

the distance 



THE RACES. 



899 



decreased. Soon only about twenty yards 
'.nained between him and the end^ Once 
more the determined boy bent to his task. 
Srbody swayed back and forth, the paddle 
wis driven deeper into the water, and the 
TliZo. seemed to gain increased speed. 
vtl^eZve cheering wildly all about him, 
irlcloud of banners seemed to be waving 

°"i;:;^t; responded, and was stn^ 
.o ,«e all his remaining power. He was 
It directly behind his competitors bemg 
::ve^ryrds to their left, and now he wa 

w more than two feet in their re.r. If 

\ Z course were a little longer, he 

:Slhhr:"ld surely win, but shutting 

Z^ei to do his best. His eyes were almost 
tl and his breath was -""K " ^^^^ 
Suddenly there was a .noment of mtense 
i::^^lsheshoutmgabrupa.cea^^^^^^^^^^ 
Ben was oblivious of it all. in 



400 CAMPINO ON THE ST. LA^'RENCE. 

the other, and both canoes had been cap- 
sized in the collision. Their misfoitune had 
left Ben the winner. 

The yacht speedily approached, and as 
the girls waved their handkerchiefs and his 
friends called out their approval, Mr. Clarke 
assisted him to come on board. 

« I can congratulate you on winnmg the 
race," said Mr. Clarke, cordially. 

" Oh, I haven't won it," replied Ben, his 
flushed 'face beaming with pleasiire. " That's 
only the preli.ninary . The finals are to come 
off this afternoon." 

Somewhat disappointed, the party was 
headed up the river again, and soon ap- 
proached the starting-place. They all 
laughed when they learned that a tub race 
was now to take place, and the astonish- 
ment of all except Ben was great when they 
discovered that one of the contestants was 
none other than their missing friend, Bob. 



VnENCE. 

atl been cap- 
lisfoitune had 



> 



,ched, and as 

chiefs and his 

al, Mr. Clarke 

I. 

11 winning the 

iiy. 

iplied Ben, his 
sure. "That's 
lals are to come 

;he party was 
and soon ap- 
3. They all 
hat a tub race 
1 the astonish- 
reat when they 
jontestants was 
g friend, Bob. 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

CONCLUSION. 

A TUB race «»» » deciaed novelty to 1.11 
the Jemberso. our party except th^young 

'rvTeV we^as ilres^d a, their friend, 
r„ C oonteU which was to take place. 
'The* «ere tub, large and ,n.aU, some -« 

vice, and ^Hil^'J gj^,,„ „{ 

and ages. There «"« . („,„ 

the cont«aUnt8, and Bob s sturay 

^A h» easily dist nguished, fcr he was 
rLrth from the end nearest our friend,. 
^'Ttr^f the pistol rang out sharply 
ii^a moment the race was begun. The 
and m » .'™°'"^ ^ „^ „„e that beggared 
««„e which «°"°'';* „t ,„„d of spec- 

t:::Couted anVcWed and laughed and 
Hmt seemed as if pandemonmm .t^U 
reit"d supreme. Meanwhile the contest- 

2d *^^ 



402 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

ants entered into the struggle with appar- 
ently all the zeal that had been manifested 
by their predecessors. The paddles were 
driven deep into the water and some of the 
men were making desperate efforts to out- 
strip their fellows. But the control of the 
awkward crafts was no simple matter. At 
times, for some unaccountable reason, the 
tubs would begin to turn and whirl, and, 
despite the efforts of the paddlers, would 
go in a direction apparently opposite to 
that which was desired. One poor fellow 
had already been thrown into the water, and 
as he was speedily drawn forth by his wait- 
ing friends, shouts of laughter seemed to be 
his only reward. 

Bob was moving steadily with the current, 
and although several tubs were in advance 
of him, he did not appear to be troubled. 
He was not exerting himself as were most 
of the others, his foremost desire being to 
keep his tub from whirling and within the 
current. 

Suddenly one of the tubs was seen to be 
headed directly towdrd Bob. The occupant 
struggled desperately to prevent a collision, 
but his efforts only served to increase his 
helplessness. 



\ 



WHENCE. 

e with appar- 
en manifested 

paddles were 
d some of the 
efforts to out- 
control of the 
e matter. At 
lie reason, the 
id whirl, and, 
iddlers, would 
y opposite to 
ae poor fellow 

the water, and 
th by his wait- 
ir seemed to be 

ith the current, 
ere in advance 
to be troubled. 
i as were most 
iesire being to 
and within the 

was seen to be 

The occupant 

^^ent a collision, 

to increase his 



CONCLUSION. 



408 



.. Look out ! " called Bob, sharply. '^ Keep 
^%;?m:L'— dtochangehiscou.^ 

bu^his increased exertions only depn-^ h- 
of what little control he still had, and ma 
moment the twisting, awkward craft came 
^traiaht toward the alarmed Bob. 

"t lad was watchful, however, and as 

the tub came within reach he gave it a sud- 

d n ^ush with his paddle and the peril was 

Averted. The effect almost destroyed Bob s 

/irbalance,andforanio.ent. 

Tf d stfte He had raised his own pad- 
Tt fe^r t^^^ thrust the anxious Bob had 
Sv n htm, but his zeal had not been wisely 
dkected. The tub leaned dangerously t« one 
sSelnd as the boatman strove to right i, 
L tCw himself too far to the oth- sid^^^ 
Ld after " wabbling " for an instant, it sud 
iy capsized and threw its occupant into 
the water As he came to the surface he 
Itt^ swam to the upturned tub, and was 
sot rescued by the men who were skirting 

tV,B rjicers tor that very purpose. 

BThowever, had no time to .aste upon 
hisunfortunatecompetitor.andwascareMly. 



404 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



guiding his own treacherous craft. He could 
see that some of the desperate men about 
him were going sidewise or backward, and 
were striking out wildl}' with their paddles, 
striving to change the method as well as 
the du'ection of the procedure. Others were 
whirling and spinning about in a manner to 
make even an observer dizzy, to say nothing 
of the struggling paddler himself. Bob was 
not striving for speed, and was trusting much 
to the swiftness of the current to bear him 
on toward the coveted goal, and as he drew 
near the end, the wisdom of his course be- 
came apparent. Those who had been in 
advance of him were losing the advantage 
they had gained by some wifn- unate stroke 
of their paddles, which sen . ^^ vnwieldy 
tubs to whirling madly, and &^.:.^ and con- 
trol were soon both lost. 

On and on moved the few tubs which 
still were in the race, bobbing up and down, 
and frequently stopping and whirling madly 
about as if some sudden and irresistible 
impulse had seized them. The confusion in- 
creased as the goal could be seen, and the 
first prize lay between Bob and two rivals. 

Slowly and carefully Bob increased his 
stroke, and now onl}' ten feet yet remained 



o 



WHENCE. 

ift. He could , 
te men about 
ackward, and 
their paddles, 
)d as well as 
Others were 
1 a manner to 
10 say nothing 
elf. Bob was 
trusting much 
t to bear him 
id as he drew 
bis course be- 

had been in 
he advantage 

unate stroke 
nwieldy 

lov^ and con- 

V tubs which 
up and down, 
dirling madly 
id irresistible 
confusion in- 
seen, and the 
1 two rivals, 
increased his 
yet remained 



CONCLUSION. 



406 



to be crossed. The three tubs were close 
roge:h:r, and bunched for the fina effort^ 
Suddenly Bob drove his paddle far down 
into the water, and exerting all his strength, 
sent h s tub forward with his final effort ; 
but directly in front of him one of hi 
rivals had drifted, and m a ^7^"^ f ^o 
struck together. The other contestant, to 
P himself had insUntly grasped Bob s 
XanrwaLwing,'' careening, threatening 
Itrmo-nt to capsize, the two crossed 
the line together, and their mutual rival 

r^^^TZ end of the race, and Bob's nval 

Tned good-naturedly to ^^ -f/^f ' 

. I've got the first prize and you the seo- 

ond, tho^h you wouldn't have had It if I 

hadn't towed you over the line. ^^ 

« That's for the judges to decide laughed 
Bob. "Itbinkyoufouledmeandh dme 
back with your hands, or I'd been first. 

Thrtats now swarmed in, and, amidst 
JlLghter of the ^o^^^ ^J^^.^^^^^ 
*u«+ i\Z first prize should be dividea, loi 
ttto tab h!d cros^d the line ato the 
tnlr iu which the Siame. tw.n» had 

moved through Ufe, together. 



1 



/ 



400 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



" It's another case of ' united we stand, 
divided we fall,' " remarked Bob, as the de- 
cision was announced. 

But there was no opportunity for further 
conversation, for Mr. Clarke's yacht now 
steamed close in, and Bob and his tub were 
received on board. 

" A wise man of Gotham who ' ^nt to 
sea in a bowl," said Miss Bessie, as Bob 
quietly took his seat. " I congratulate 
you." 

"Thank you," replied Bob. "Did you 
say you had had your luncheon i " 

" No, we've been waiting for the victor. 
We'll have it now." 

As she departed to look after the vari- 
ous baskets, Jock said, "Bob, you're the 
greatest fellow I ever saw. You never 
seem to be working much, but yet you 
always come out all right. It's the same 
way with your studies. You don't work as 
hard as I do, but you always beat me. I 
don't understand it." 

" Don't you believe that Bob doesn't 
work," interrupted Bert. "I know him 
better than you do. It's the thing he 
doesn't do that helps Bob, as much as what 
he does do. Now I watched him out there 



A WRENCE. 

lited we stand, 
Bob, as the de- 

lity for further 
e's yacht now 
id his tub were 

1 who ' yai to 
Bessie, as Bob 
I congratulate 

ob. "Did you 
2on 1 " 
for the victor. 

after the vari- 
Job, you're the 
J. You never 
L, but yet you 
It's the same 
u don't work as 
ys beat me. I 

it Bob doesn't 
"I know him 
1 the thing he 
s much as what 
i him out there 



CONCLUSION. 



407 



in the race. Most of the other fellows were 

striking out with their paddles m every di- 

ection!but Bob here just watched the cur- 

rent and let that do most of the work Its 
the same way with his studies. Most of 
the fellows spend half their time m fuss ng 
Ir^und and getting ready, and then breaking 
t; on their wo 'c after they've once begun 

But you never saw ^ob do that. He never 
makes a false move, or an unnecessary .ne 
and when he starts, he just keeps at the nee- 
essary things and lets the others go. Bob 
does so wen because he makes everything 

"That's the secret o£ success, young 
man " said Mr. Clarke. " The reason why 
riny men fail in life is because they 
waste their time and strength m unneoe- 
sary things, and don't learn what not to 

do. J " 

"I think our luncheon is ready now, 

said Miss Bessie, as she rejoined the group 
« I had a basket of fruit I was gomg to 
give you," she added, speaking to Bob, 
"but I'm afraid it's spoiled." 

« Never mind. To the victors belong 
the spoils," said Ben. "Give it to him 
just the same," 



408 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 



A groan followed Ben's pun, but the sight 
of the welcome baskets speedily banished 
all other thoughts, and for a time the scene 
on board the yacht was one in which all 
who were there certainly rejoiced. The 
perfect summer day, the sight of the many 
boats moving about over the river, the 
bright colors to be seen on every side, the 
animation and happiness of those on board 
the yacht, were sufficient to inspire all, and 
certainly the party in which we are particu- 
larly interested was not one that required 
much beyond the youth and health which 
were theirs to make them have an enjoyable 
time. 

Their delight was increased when in the 
" finals " for the canoe races Ben was able 
to secure third prize. He himself was more 
than content with the award, for he had 
been compelled to enter the lists against 
some who had had the practice and experi- 
ence of many summers, and he had had but 
one. His long arms, and, above all, his per- 
sistence in the face of all obstacles, had 
availed; and when our boys returned to 
camp they were highly delighted with the 
achievements of the day, as we may be well 
assured were the other members of the party. 



AWRENCE. 

n, but the sight 

jedily banished 

, time the scene 

le in which all 

rejoiced. The 

ht of the many 

the river, the 

every side, the 

those on board 

inspire all, and 

we are particu- 

3 that required 

d health which 

,ve an enjoyable 

sed when in the 
!S Ben was able 
mself was more 
ird, for he had 
le lists against 
itice and experi- 
he had had but 
bove all, his pcr- 
. obstacles, had 
»ys returned to 
ighted with the 
we may be well 
•ers of the party. 



CONCLUSION. 



409 



0„ the way homo Mr. Clarke Ijad'f^ 
the lurther story of the ^Pl"."'"' "' 
"late " Dill Johnston, but it .s doubtful 

pnate, i> retained a very 

tr.d Bill, and even ^b—.^^ 

taXmed to the Thousand Tsjand^wher 
amon.' his various occupations he had been 
Z^v of one of the lighthouses to the day 

"^Mtstetie had not entered the canoe 

-"tT::^"hr^rri:rs"^ 

. rl'^ Xr' tie river in Mr. ClarWs 

"tndwhat days they were! Every morn- 
ing brolght its own fresh e:.per«nces and 
fwLZ regular thing for the boys ^ de- 
dare at night when they returned to the 




410 CAMPING ON THE ST. LAWRENCE. 

camp and prepared for bed, that this was 
the best day yet. 

But all things are said to have an end, 
and certainly the camp on Pine Tree Island 
proved to be no exception to the rule. The 
September days had come, and though the 
crowds about the river became decidedly 
thinned, our boys still remained, and Jock's 
mother was still at the hotel at Alexandria 
Bay. Only one week remained before the 
beginning of the fall term in college, and it 
was at last decided that on the morrow the 
camp should be broken. 

It was with special pleasure the last 
evening in camp that Jock broached a sub- 
ject to Etl.an and Tom in which he had 
been deeply interested, and concerning 
which he had had much correspondence 
with his father, and that was the promise 
of a position for Tom in Mr. Cope's office 
in New York. 

Ethan at first was inclined to demur, but 
at last gave his consent, inasmuch as the 
position promised to be one which eventu- 
ally might yield even more than the mar- 
vellous " dollar and a half a day," to which 
he had made such frequent references dur- 
ing the summer. 



WRENCE. 

ihat this was 

have an end, 
e Tree Island 
he rule. The 
d though the 
,nie decidedly 
3d, and Jock's 
at Alexandria 
ed before the 
college, and it 
le morrow the 

sure the last 
roached a sub- 
rtrhich he had 
d concerning 
iorrespondence 
,s the promise 
•. Cope's office 

to demur, but 
ismuch as the 
which eventu- 
than the mar- 
day," to which 
references duy- 



CONCLU/^TON. 

The Ust visit to tho Ctoto tol been 

„aie tic tot sail take,, in Klhans ca boa , 
U:^,;* spin enjoyecl in tl,e canoes and now 

tlic bovswcre seated together for the last 

t^Tne before the roaring can.p-Bre, wlneh m 

onor of the occasion liad been made even 

Cer than usual. Far out over tire nver 

,t,f fliekerinc lights cast their shaaows. 

tmfalg^nfhe tree tops was, nore^^^^^ 

1 o« WIS onlv flttmg in a beptemoer 
::rg' r:efo-thelepart..eoft,>e 

Jvs The sound of the laughter in the 

"-^'-r:rri::tvtrrri: 

the areen-covered islands. 

7oT a time the boys were s.lent, then 
Ben Who could not long refrain from 
!^m„rsaid, "It's been a great summer, 
tk I dot-t know how we'll ever repay 

'""■'you have done that already," repUed 
Jock "I'm glad you fellows have had a 

gested Ben. 

"What's that?" ^ , .. 

..ThatvolumeofC-sintheCyelopiBdm. 



r 



412 cAuriyG on the sr. Lawrence. 

Cartior, Champlain, Cavon, Cortereal, Chim- 
ney Island — " 

" Oh, that's all right, too," replied Jock, 
laughing. " We've been on The Trail of 
the Earhi Discoverers, haven't we? Well, 
we ought to know something about them. 
We haven't had enough to spoil us." 

" I trow not," interrupted Bob* solemnly. 
« I say, fellows," said Jock, as a sudden 
thought seemed to strike him, " wouldn't 
it be a great thing to keep on with this ! 
We've been on this trail this summer; 
now, why shouldn't we keep on and follow 
them into other places next summer ?" 

" A colossal idea," said Bert, " if it can 
be worked out." 

"I'm going to fix that," said Jock, de- 
cidedly. " Come on now, fellows, it's time 
we were in bed. Let's fire off the cannon 
for the last time." 

In a moment the roar of the cannon 
awoke the echoes, and then silence rested 
over the camp and the river. 



lENCE. 

sreal, Chiin- 

jplicd Jock, 
he Trail of 
we ? Well, 
ibout tliem. 
1 us. 

b^ solemnly, 
as a sudden 
, " wouldn't 
n with this ! 
is summer ; 
1 and follow 
nmer ! 
t, " if it can 

lid Jock, de- 
)ws, it's time 
I the cannon 

; the cannon 
jilence rested 




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